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

Speaking on the red carpet before the show, Einbinder told E!

From Los Angeles Times

“We’re trying to find the small details,” Son, the women’s buyer, tells me in the carpeted bottom floor showroom of her store.

From Los Angeles Times

Another statement came from Hacks and Too Much actress Megan Stalter, who carried a purse on the red carpet that bore a placard with "Cease Fire!" written on it.

From BBC

Stalter wore a piece of tape on her purse with the words “Cease fire!” scrawled on it as she walked the red carpet.

From Salon

Follow along for photos of celebrities on the red carpet, get live updates from the show and track all the winners.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• carpeting 
• rug 
• tapestry