carat — a unit of weight for precious stones, equal to 200 milligrams
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: a unit of weight for precious stones, equal to 200 milligrams
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈkærət/
Example Sentences
- My girlfriend expects at least a 3-carat ring, but my wallet expects ramen noodles for dinner.
- The jeweler explained that higher carat means higher price and lower bank account.
- She studied the 4 Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat before buying the engagement ring.
carat
NOUN[/ˈkærət/]
a unit of weight for precious stones, equal to 200 milligrams
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🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
The word derives from Ancient Greek 'keration', the name of a small bean seed used as a unit of weight on scales. Jewelers historically weighed diamonds and precious stones using these uniform seeds, establishing a standardized measurement system that evolved into the modern carat used in gemology.
Breakdown
Greek 'keration' (small horn, bean seed) → carat. The term ultimately traces to Greek 'keras' (horn), referencing the seed's horn-like appearance, and was adopted into trade terminology for gemstone measurement.
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My girlfriend expects at least a 3-carat ring, but my wallet expects ramen noodles for dinner.”
“The jeweler explained that higher carat means higher price and lower bank account.”
“She studied the 4 Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat before buying the engagement ring.”
“This 22-carat gold bracelet is too soft for everyday wear.”
📚Related Words
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