carpet

[kahr-pit]

noun

1. a heavy fabric, commonly of wool or nylon, for covering floors.

2. a covering of this material.

3. any relatively soft surface or covering like a carpet.

   They walked on the carpet of grass.

4. any of a number of airborne electronic devices for jamming radar.

5. a system of such devices.

verb (used with object)

1. to cover or furnish with or as with a carpet.

2. Chiefly British.,  to reprimand.

carpet

/ ˈkɑːpɪt /

noun

1. 1. a heavy fabric for covering floors

   2. ( as modifier )

      a carpet sale

2. a covering like a carpet

   a carpet of leaves

3. informal

   1. before authority to be reproved for misconduct or error

   2. under consideration

verb

1. to cover with or as if with a carpet

2. informal,  to reprimand

Other Word Forms

• carpetless adjective
• carpetlike adjective
• recarpet verb (used with object)
• uncarpeted adjective
• well-carpeted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of carpet¹

1300–50; Middle English carpete cloth covering for a table, floor, bed, etc. < Middle French carpite or Medieval Latin carpīta < Italian carpita woolen bedspread < Vulgar Latin *carpīta, past participle of carpīre, for Latin carpere to pluck, card (wool)

Word History and Origins

Origin of carpet¹

C14: from Old French carpite, from Old Italian carpita, from Late Latin carpeta, literally: (wool) that has been carded, from Latin carpere to pluck, card

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on the carpet,

   1. before an authority or superior for an accounting of one's actions or a reprimand.

      He was called on the carpet again for his carelessness.

   2. Chiefly British. under consideration or discussion.

see call on the carpet; red carpet. Also see under rug.

Example Sentences

Variety shared its account of Brown and Harbour gamely presenting a chummy front in a recent red carpet appearance.

Read more on Salon

Nancy Helms stands on top of “dwarf carpet of stars,” a succulent plant that surrounds a large area of her home as a fire prevention method on Rocky Ledge Road in Topanga.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Wen later posted videos thanking Grande for letting him on the carpet and said he was "free".

Read more on BBC

Most dogs pull more weight on rail carts rather than wheeled ones on carpet or dirt.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Carry a shovel to clear snow and some old bits of carpet, or cat litter, to put under the tyres if you get stuck.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• carpeting 
• rug 
• tapestry