Word of the Day: Carat

What does carat mean?

1. noun — a unit of fineness for gold equal to 1/24 part of pure gold in an alloy
2. noun — a unit of weight for precious stones equal to 200 milligrams

Origin of carat

Middle English carrat measure of fineness in gold, from Middle French carat measure of fineness in gold or of weight in gems, from Italian carato, from Arabic qīrāṭ bean pod, a small weight, from Greek keration carob bean, a small weight, from diminutive of kerat-, keras horn horn

First known use: 1555