carp (n.) — cassate (v.)
type of freshwater fish, late 14c., from Old French carpe "carp" (13c.) and directly from Vulgar Latin *carpa (source also of Italian carpa, Spanish carpa), from a Germanic source (compare Middle Dutch carpe, Dutch karper, Old High German karpfo, German Karpfen "carp"); possibly the immediate source is Gothic *karpa. A Danube fish (hence the proposed East Germanic origin of its name), introduced in English ponds 14c. Lithuanian karpis, Russian karp are Germanic loan words.ETD carp (n.).2
early 13c., "to talk, speak, tell," from Old Norse karpa "to brag," which is of unknown origin. The meaning turned toward "find fault with, complain," particularly without reason or petulantly (late 14c.) probably by influence of Latin carpere "to slander, revile," literally "to pluck" (which is from PIE root *kerp- "to gather, pluck, harvest"). Related: Carped; carping.ETD carp (v.).2
c. 1400, "talk, speech; talkativeness, foolish talk," verbal noun from carp (v.). The sense of "unreasonable criticism or censure" is by 16c.ETD carping (n.).2
"raw meat or fish served as an appetizer," 1975, from Italian, often connected to the name of Renaissance painter Vittore Carpaccio (c. 1460-1526) but without any plausible explanation except perhaps that his pictures often feature an orange-red hue reminiscent of some raw meat (and were the subject of a popular exhibit in Venice in 1963).ETD carpaccio (n.).2
"of or pertaining to the wrist," 1743, from Modern Latin carpalis, from carpus "wrist" (see carpus). Carpal tunnel syndrome is attested by 1970, from carpal tunnel (1896), the tunnel-like passage that carries nerves through the wrist.ETD carpal (adj.).2
"place for parking automobiles," 1926, British English, from car (n.) + park (n.).ETD car-park (n.).2
1670s, in reference to the mountain range of Eastern Europe, from Thracian Greek Karpates oros, probably literally literally "Rocky Mountain;" related to Albanian karpe "rock." From 1630s in reference to the island of Carpathos in the Aegean.ETD Carpathian.2
1786, Latin, "enjoy the day," literally "pluck the day (while it is ripe)," an aphorism from Horace ("Odes" I.xi). From second person present imperative of carpere "seize" (from PIE root *kerp- "to gather, pluck, harvest") + accusative of dies "day" (from PIE root *dyeu- "to shine").ETD carpe diem.2
"pistil or pistil-part of a plant," 1835, from Modern Latin carpellum (1817 in French), a diminutive form from Greek karpos "fruit" (also "returns, profit"), literally "that which is plucked" (from PIE root *kerp- "to gather, pluck, harvest"). Related: Carpellary.ETD carpel (n.).2
"artificer in timber, one who does the heavier sort of wood-working," c. 1300 (attested from early 12c. as a surname), from Anglo-French carpenter, Old North French carpentier (Old French and Modern French charpentier), from Late Latin (artifex) carpentarius "wagon (maker); carriage-maker" (in Medieval Latin "carpenter," properly an adjective, "pertaining to a cart or carriage," from Latin carpentum "wagon, two-wheeled carriage, cart."ETD carpenter (n.).2
This word is from Gaulish, from Old Celtic *carpentom (compare Old Irish carpat, Gaelic carbad "carriage"), which probably is related to Gaulish karros "chariot" (source of car), from PIE root *kers- "to run."ETD carpenter (n.).3
Also from the Late Latin word are Spanish carpintero, Italian carpentiero. It displaced Old English treowwyrhta, etymologically "tree-wright." German Zimmermann "carpenter" is from Old High German zimbarman, from zimbar "wood for building, timber," cognate with Old Norse timbr (see timber). The first record of carpenter-bee, which bores into half-rotten wood to deposit its eggs, is from 1795. A carpenter's rule (1690s) is one that is foldable, suitable for carrying in the pocket.ETD carpenter (n.).4
late 14c., "art of cutting, framing, and joining woodwork," carpentrie, from Old French carpenterie, charpenterie "carpentry" (Modern French charpenterie); see carpenter + -ery. Classical Latin carpentaria (fabrica) meant "carriage-maker's (workshop);" in Medieval Latin it was "carpenter's shop." The English word is attested from 1550s as "timber-work made by a carpenter."ETD carpentry (n.).2
mid-15c., "talker" (obsolete), agent noun from carp (v.) in its older sense. The meaning "fault-finder" is from 1570s.ETD carper (n.).2
"cloth for carpets; carpets generally," 1758, verbal noun from carpet (v.).ETD carpeting (n.).2
late 13c., carpet, carpete, "coarse cloth;" mid-14c., "tablecloth, bedspread;" from Old French carpite "heavy decorated cloth, a carpet" (Modern French carpette), from Medieval Latin or Old Italian carpita "thick woolen cloth," probably from Latin carpere "to card, pluck" (from PIE root *kerp- "to gather, pluck, harvest"). Thus it is so called because it was made from unraveled, shredded, "plucked" fabric. The English word is attested from 15c. in reference to floor coverings, and since 18c. this has been the main sense. The smaller sort is a rug.ETD carpet (n.).2
From 16c.-19c., by association with luxury, ladies' boudoirs, and drawing rooms, it was used as an adjective, often with a tinge of contempt, in reference to men, as in carpet-knight, 1570s, one who has seen no military service in the field; carpet-monger, 1590s, a lover of ease and pleasure, i.e. one more at home on a carpet.ETD carpet (n.).3
On the carpet "summoned for reprimand" is by 1900, U.S. colloquial (but compare carpet (v.) "call (someone) to be reprimanded," 1823, British servants' slang). This may have merged with older on the carpet "up for consideration" (1726) literally "on the tablecloth," with the word's older sense, hence "a subject for investigation." To sweep or push something under the carpet in the figurative sense is recorded by 1953.ETD carpet (n.).4
1620s, "cover with or as with a carpet," from carpet (n.). The meaning "call to reprimand, make a subject of investigation" is from 1823. Related: Carpeted; carpeting.ETD carpet (v.).2
also carpet-bag, "soft-cover traveling case made of carpet fabric on a frame," 1830, from carpet (n.) + bag (n.). As a verb, 1872, from the noun.ETD carpetbag (n.).2
also carpet-bagger, 1868, American English, scornful appellation for Northern whites who set up residence in the South after the fall of the Confederate states seeking private gain or political advancement. The name is based on the image of men arriving with all their worldly goods in a carpetbag. The sense later was extended to any opportunist from out of the area (such as wildcat bankers or territorial officers in the West).ETD carpetbagger (n.).2
"the dropping of a large number of bombs on an entire area to inflict intense damage," 1945, from carpet (v.) + bomb (v.). Related: Carpet-bomb; carpet-bombed.ETD carpet-bombing (n.).2
"mechanical broom for sweeping carpets," 1859, from carpet (n.) + sweeper.ETD carpet-sweeper (n.).2
word-forming element meaning "wrist," from combining form of Latin carpus, from Greek karpos "wrist" (see carpus).ETD carpo- (2).2
word-forming element meaning "fruit," from Latinized form of Greek karpos "fruit," from PIE root *kerp- "to gather, pluck, harvest."ETD carpo- (1).2
"study of the structure of fruits," 1806; see carpo- (1) "fruit" + -logy.ETD carpology (n.).2
also carpool, "the sharing of a car ride by more than one person going to the same destination," 1942, American English, from car + pool (n.2). As a verb from 1962. Related: Carpooled; carpooling.ETD car-pool (n.).2
"fruit-eating," 1839, see carpo- (1) "fruit" + -phagous "eating."ETD carpophagous (adj.).2
also car-port, "roofed, open shelter for a car near a house," 1939, American English, from car + port (n.1).ETD carport (n.).2
"wrist, wrist-joint, bones of the wrist," 1670s, from Modern Latin carpus, from Greek karpos "wrist," which is probably related to Germanic verbs for "turn, revolve" (see wharf).ETD carpus (n.).2
large, deep-built vessel used for trading but fitted for fighting, late 14c., from Old French caraque "large, square-rigged sailing vessel," from Spanish carraca, related to Medieval Latin carraca, Italian caracca, all of uncertain origin, perhaps from Arabic qaraqir, plural of qurqur "merchant ship." The Arabic word itself perhaps was from Latin carricare "to load a car" (see charge (v.)) or Greek karkouros "boat, pinnacle."ETD carrack (n.).2
late 15c., "place where four ways meet," from Old French carrefor (13c., quarrefour), from Medieval Latin quadrifurcus "four-forked," from Latin quatuor "four" (from PIE root *kwetwer- "four") + furca "two-pronged fork" (a word of unknown etymology). "Formerly quite naturalized, but now treated only as French" [OED]. Englished variant carfax is from Middle English carfourkes.ETD carrefour (n.).2
1590s, "a small study in a cloister," from Medieval Latin carula "enclosure in a cloister in which to sit and read," which is of unknown origin; perhaps from Latin corolla "little crown, garland," used in various senses of "ring" (for example, in a c. 1330 description of Stonehenge: "þis Bretons renged about þe feld, þe karole of þe stones beheld"); extended to precincts and spaces enclosed by rails, etc. Specific sense of "private cubicle in a library" is from 1912.ETD carrel (n.).2
early 14c., "to bear or convey, take along or transport," from Anglo-French carier "transport in a vehicle" or Old North French carrier "to cart, carry" (Modern French charrier), from Gallo-Roman *carrizare, from Late Latin carricare, from Latin carrum originally "two-wheeled Celtic war chariot," from Gaulish (Celtic) karros, from PIE *krsos, from root *kers- "to run."ETD carry (v.).2
The meaning "take by force, gain by effort" is from 1580s. The sense of "gain victory, bear to a successful conclusion" is from 1610s; specifically in reference to elections from 1848, American English.ETD carry (v.).3
The meaning "to conduct, manage" (often with an indefinite it) is from 1580s. The meaning "bear up and support" is from 1560s. The commercial sense of "keep in stock" is from 1848. In reference to mathematical operations from 1798. Of sound, "to be heard at a distance" by 1858.ETD carry (v.).4
To carry out "conduct to completion" is from c. 1600. To carry it off "brazen a thing out" is from 1704; carried off as a euphemism for "killed" is from 1670s. To be carried (away) in the figurative sense "transported, having the attention fully absorbed" is from 1560s. Carrying capacity is attested from 1836. Carry-castle (1590s) was an old descriptive term for an elephant.ETD carry (v.).5
c. 1600, "vehicle for carrying," from carry (v.). From 1880 as "the act or an act of carrying." U.S. football sense "an instance of carrying the ball" is attested by 1949.ETD carry (n.).2
late 14c., "act of carrying, means of conveyance; wheeled vehicles collectively," from Anglo-French and Old North French cariage "cart, carriage, action of transporting in a vehicle" (Old French charriage, Modern French charriage), from carier "to carry," from Late Latin carricare, from Latin carrus "two-wheeled wagon" (see car).ETD carriage (n.).2
The meaning "individual wheeled vehicle" is c. 1400; the specific sense of "horse-drawn, wheeled vehicle for hauling people" is attested from 1706; extended to railway cars by 1830. The meaning "the business of transportation" is from 1520s. The meaning "way of carrying one's body" is by 1590s, hence also "behavior, conduct, manners." The sense of "a part of a machinery which carries another part" is from 1680s. Carriage-house is attested from 1761.ETD carriage (n.).3
late 14c., "one who or that which conveys," agent noun from carry (v.). The meaning "person or animal that carries and disseminates infection without suffering obvious disease" is from 1899; genetic sense is 1933. As a short form of aircraft carrier it dates from 1917. Carrier-pigeon, one of a breed trained to convey from one place to another written messages tied to its leg (also homing-pigeon), is from 1640s.ETD carrier (n.).2
early 13c., carione, "a dead body;" late 13c., "dead and putrefying flesh of animals;" from Anglo-French carogne (Old North French caroigne; Old French charogne) "carrion, corpse" (12c., Modern French charogne), from Vulgar Latin *caronia "carcass" (source of Italian carogna, Spanish carroña "carrion"), from Latin caro "meat, flesh," originally "a piece of flesh" (from PIE root *sker- (1) "to cut").ETD carrion (n.).2
common name of plants of the genus Daucus, cultivated from ancient times for their large, tapering, edible root, c. 1500, karette, from French carrotte, from Latin carota, from Greek karōton "carrot," probably from PIE *kre-, from root *ker- (1) "horn; head," and so called for its horn-like shape. A Middle English name for the wild carrot was dauke (late 14c.), from Latin.ETD carrot (n.).2
The plant originally was white-rooted and was a medicinal plant to the ancients, who used it as an aphrodisiac and to prevent poisoning. Not entirely distinguished from parsnips in ancient times. A purple-rooted variety existed perhaps as early as 7c. in Afghanistan and was introduced in Europe by Arabs c. 1100. It was cultivated into the modern orange root 16c.-17c. in the Netherlands. Thus the word's use as a color name is not recorded before 1670s in English; originally it referred to yellowish-red hair.ETD carrot (n.).3
The theory that carrots are good for the eyesight may have begun in ancient times, but it was "much embroidered in the Second World War, when, in order to encourage the consumption of carrots, one of the few foodstuffs not in short supply, the British authorities put it about that pilots of night-fighter aircraft consumed vast quantities to enable them to see in the dark." [Ayto, "Diner's Dictionary"]ETD carrot (n.).4
1690s, "red-haired," from carrot (n.) + -y (2).ETD carroty (adj.).2
variant of carousel.ETD carrousel (n.).2
also carryall, 1714 as a type of light, four-wheeled family carriage; in the baggage sense from 1884; from the verbal phrase; see carry (v.) + all (n.).ETD carry-all (n.).2
1640s, "continue to advance," also "manage, be engaged in," from carry (v.) + on (adv.). The meaning "conduct oneself in a wild and thoughtless manner" is by 1828. Carryings-on is from 1660s as "questionable doings," from 1866 as "riotous behavior." As an adjective, carry-on, in reference to luggage that may be brought into the passenger compartment of an airliner, is attested by 1965.ETD carry on (v.).2
of food and drink, "prepared to be consumed away from the place of sale," 1935, American English, from the verbal phrase, from carry (v.) + out (adv.). Compare takeaway, takeout, which have the same sense.ETD carry-out (adj.).2
also carsick, "dizzy and nauseated from the motion of an automobile," 1908, from car (n.) + sick (adj.). Earlier it was used in the sense of "sick from the motion of a railroad car." Related: Car-sickness.ETD car-sick (adj.).2
c. 1200, "two-wheeled vehicle," usually for one horse and often without springs, from Old Norse kartr or a similar Scandinavian source, akin to and replacing Old English cræt "cart, wagon, chariot," perhaps originally "body of a cart made of wickerwork, hamper" and related to Middle Dutch cratte "woven mat, hamper," Dutch krat "basket," Old English cradol (see cradle (n.)).ETD cart (n.).2
Many old allusions are from the cart being used to convey offenders to the gallows (and sometimes serving as a drop for hangings) or for public exposure, especially of lewd women, either in the cart or tied to its tail. Compare tumbrel. To put the cart before the horse in a figurative sense "reverse the natural or proper order of things" is from 1510s in those words; the image in other words dates to mid-14c.: put the plow (sull) before the oxen.ETD cart (n.).3
"to carry in a cart," late 14c., from cart (n.). Related: Carted; carting.ETD cart (v.).2
c. 1300, "act of carrying in a cart," also "price paid for carting," from cart + -age.ETD cartage (n.).2
1707, "paper duly authenticated by a signature and otherwise blank, left to someone to be filled in at his discretion," French, literally "white paper," from carte (see card (n.1)) + blanche, from Old French blanc "white," a word of Germanic origin (see blank (adj.)). The figurative sense of "full discretionary power, unrestricted permission or authority in some manner" is from 1766. Compare the native blank check, used in the same figurative sense.ETD carte blanche (n.).2
"photograph portrait mounted on a 3.5-inch-by-2.5-inch card," 1861, French, literally "visiting card," from carte (see card (n.1)) + visite, from visiter (see visit (v.)).ETD carte de visite (n.).2
1550s, "a written challenge, letter of defiance," from French cartel (16c.), from Italian cartello "placard," diminutive of carta "card" (see card (n.1)).ETD cartel (n.).2
It came to mean "written agreement between states at war" (1690s), for the exchange of prisoners or some other mutual advantage, then "a written agreement between challengers" of any sort (1889). The sense of "a commercial trust, an association of industrialists" is from 1900, via German Kartell, which is from French. The older U.S. term for that is trust (n.). The usual German name for them was Interessengemeinschaft, abbreviated IG.ETD cartel (n.).3
"cart-driver," early 13c. (late 12c. as a surname), from Anglo-French careter, and in part an agent noun from cart (v.). Figurative of a rude, uncultured man from c. 1500.ETD carter (n.).2
pertaining to the works or ideas of French philosopher and mathematician René Descartes (1596-1650), 1650s, from Cartesius, the Latinized form of his surname (regarded as Des Cartes) + -ian. In addition to his philosophy (based on the fundamental principle cogito, ergo sum), he developed a system of coordinates for determining the positions of points on a plane.ETD Cartesian (adj.).2
ancient Semitic city of North Africa, rival of republican Rome, from Latin Carthago, from Phoenician quart khadash "new town." Related: Carthaginian.ETD Carthage.2
"horse that draws a cart," late 14c., from cart (n.) + horse (n.).ETD cart-horse (n.).2
in reference to an austere order of monks, late 14c., from Latin Cartusianus, in reference to the order founded 1086 by St. Bruno at Chartreux, village in Dauphiné, France. Compare chartreuse and Charterhouse.ETD Carthusian (adj.).2
"gristle; firm, elastic animal tissue," early 15c., from Old French cartilage and directly from Latin cartilaginem (nominative cartilago) "cartilage, gristle," which is possibly related to cratis "wickerwork" (see hurdle (n.)).ETD cartilage (n.).2
"gristly, consisting of cartilage," 1540s, from French cartilagineux and directly from Latin cartilaginosus, from cartilago (genitive cartilaginis) "cartilage, gristle" (see cartilage).ETD cartilaginous (adj.).2
"the making of charts or maps," 1843, from French cartographie, from Medieval Latin carta (see card (n.1)) + French -graphie, from Greek -graphein "to write, to draw" (see -graphy). Related: Cartographer; cartographic.ETD cartography (n.).2
"divination by means of playing-cards," 1852, from Latin combining form of card (n.1) + -mancy.ETD cartomancy (n.).2
1816, "thin pasteboard," from French carton "pasteboard" (17c.), from Italian cartone "pasteboard," augmentative of Medieval Latin carta "paper" (see card (n.1)). Originally the material for making paper boxes; the word was extended 1890 to the boxes themselves. As a verb from 1921.ETD carton (n.).2
1864 (implied in cartooned), "caricature or ridicule by a cartoon," from cartoon (n.). Related: Cartooning; cartoonery.ETD cartoon (v.).2
1670s, "a drawing on strong paper" (used as a model for another work), from French carton or directly from Italian cartone "strong, heavy paper, pasteboard," thus "preliminary sketches made by artists on such paper" (see carton). The extension to drawings in newspapers and magazines is by 1843. Originally they were to advocate or attack a political faction or idea; later they were merely comical as well.ETD cartoon (n.).2
Also see -oon. As "an animated movie," by 1911 (originally referring to work by Winsor McCay.)ETD cartoon (n.).3
"artist who draws cartoons," 1855, from cartoon (n.) + -ist.ETD cartoonist (n.).2
1610s, "scroll-like ornament," also "paper cartridge," from French cartouche, the French form of cartridge (q.v.). From 1830 in reference to oblong figures in Egyptian hieroglyphics enclosing the characters, on their perceived resemblance to rolled paper cartridges.ETD cartouche (n.).2
1570s, cartage, "case of cardboard, tin, etc., holding a charge of gunpowder" (also with the bullet or shot in firearms), corruption of French cartouche "a full charge for a pistol," originally wrapped in paper (16c.), from Italian cartoccio "roll of paper," an augmentative form of Medieval Latin carta "paper" (see card (n.1)). The notion is of a roll of paper containing a charge for a firearm. The modern form of the English word is recorded from 1620s. Extended broadly 20c. to other small containers and their contents. Cartridge-belt , worn around the waist or over the shoulder and having pockets or loops for cartridges, is by 1832.ETD cartridge (n.).2
also cartway, "road on which carts may travel," mid-14c., from cart (n.) + way (n.).ETD cart-way (n.).2
also cart-wheel, late 14c., "wheel of a cart," from cart (n.) + wheel (n.). The meaning "lateral somersault" is recorded from 1861; as a verb from 1907. Related: Cartwheeled; cartwheeling.ETD cartwheel (n.).2
"carpenter who makes carts," early 15c. (late 13c. as a surname), from cart (n.) + wright (n.).ETD cartwright (n.).2
Middle English kerven (the initial -k- is from influence of Scandinavian forms), from Old English ceorfan (class III strong verb; past tense cearf, past participle corfen) "to cut," also "cut down, slay; cut out," from West Germanic *kerbanan (source also of Old Frisian kerva, Middle Dutch and Dutch kerven, German kerben "to cut, notch"), from PIE root *gerbh- "to scratch," making carve the English cognate of Greek graphein "to write," originally "to scratch" on clay tablets with a stylus.ETD carve (v.).2
Once extensively used and the general verb for "to cut;" most senses now have passed to cut (v.) and since 16c. carve has been restricted to specialized senses such as "cut (solid material) into the representation of an object or a design" (late Old English); "cut (meat, etc.) into pieces or slices" (early 13c.); "produce by cutting" (mid-13c.); "decorate by carving" (late 14c.). Related: Carved; carving. The original strong conjugation has been abandoned, but archaic past-participle adjective carven lingers poetically.ETD carve (v.).3
c. 1200, "the action of cutting," verbal noun from carve. From late 14c. as "action of carving meat at the table," also "carved work, something carved." Carving-knife is from early 15c.ETD carving (n.).2
late 14c. (late 13c. as a surname), "one who carves" (in some sense); agent noun from carve (v.). In a set of dining chairs, the one with the arms, usually at the head of the table (1927), reserved for the one who carves the meat. The meaning "large table-knife" is from 1840.ETD carver (n.).2
also carwash, by 1924, "act of washing an automobile," also "commercial establishment where an automobile can be washed," from car (n.) + wash (n.).ETD car-wash (n.).2
"carved, robed female figure used as a column," 1560s, from French cariatide, from Latin caryatides, from Greek Karyatidēs (singular Karyatis) "priestesses of Artemis at Caryae" (Greek Karyai), a town in Laconia where dance festivals were held in Artemis' temple. Male figures in a like situation are Atlantēs, plural of Atlas. Related: Caryatic.ETD caryatid (n.).2
abbreviation of Latin capias ad satisfaciendum, a writ issued upon a judgment in a personal action for the recovery of money (see capias).ETD ca.sa..2
variety of honeydew, 1889, from Kasaba, old name of Turgutlu, in Aegean Turkey, from which place the melons were imported to U.S. The old name is literally "the town."ETD casaba (n.).2
city in Morocco, Spanish, literally "white house;" the first element is from Latin casa "hut, cottage, cabin" (see casino), the second is from Germanic (see blank (adj.)).ETD Casablanca.2
"man of carnal adventures, connoisseur of seduction," 1888, from Giacomo Girolamo Casanova de Seignalt (1725-1798), the infamous debaucher. His name could be Englished as Jacob Jerome Newhouse, which sounds somewhat less romantic.ETD Casanova (n.).2
the old city or citadel of a North African city, 1738, from French casbah, from North African Arabic dialect kasba "fortress."ETD casbah (n.).2
"a fall or flow of water over a cliff, a waterfall," 1640s, from French cascade (17c.), from Italian cascata "waterfall," from cascare "to fall," from Vulgar Latin *casicare, frequentative of Latin casum, casus, past participle of cadere "to fall" (from PIE root *kad- "to fall").ETD cascade (n.).2
"to fall in cascades," 1702, from cascade (n.). In early 19c. slang, "to vomit." Related: Cascaded; cascading.ETD cascade (v.).2
early 13c., "what befalls one; state of affairs," from Old French cas "an event, happening, situation, quarrel, trial," from Latin casus "a chance, occasion, opportunity; accident, mishap," literally "a falling," from cas-, past-participle stem of cadere "to fall, sink, settle down, decline, perish" (used widely: of the setting of heavenly bodies, the fall of Troy, suicides), from PIE root *kad- "to fall."ETD case (n.1).2
The notion is of "that which falls" as "that which happens" (compare befall). From its general nature, the word has taken on widespread extended and transferred meanings. The meaning "instance, example" is from c. 1300. The meaning "actual state of affairs" is from c. 1400. In law, "an instance of litigation" (late 14c.); in medicine, "an instance of a disease" (late 14c.).ETD case (n.1).3
The grammatical sense, "one of the forms which make up the inflections of a noun" (late 14c.) also was in Latin, translating Greek ptōsis "declension," literally "a falling." "A noun in the nominative singular ..., or a verb in the present indicative ..., is conceived as standing straight. Then it falls, or is bent, or declines into various positions" [Gilbert Murray, "Greek Studies"]ETD case (n.1).4
The U.S. slang meaning "person" (especially one peculiar or remarkable in any way) is from 1848. The meaning "incident or series of events requiring police investigation" is from 1838. In case "in the event" is recorded from mid-14c. Case-history is from 1879, originally medical; case-study "study of a particular case" is from 1879, originally legal; case-law "law as settled by previous court cases" is from 1861.ETD case (n.1).5
"enclose in a case," 1570s, from case (n.2). Related: Cased; casing.ETD case (v.).2
The meaning "examine, inspect" (usually prior to robbing) is from 1915, American English slang, perhaps from the notion of giving a place a look on all sides. Compare technical case (v.) "cover the outside of a building with a different material" (1707), from case (n.) "external portion of a building" (1670s).ETD case (v.).3
1570s, "action of fitting with a case," verbal noun from case (v.). The meaning "a covering, an enclosure" is from 1839.ETD casing (n.).2
"receptacle, box, that which encloses or contains," early 14c., from Anglo-French and Old North French casse (Old French chasse "case, reliquary;" Modern French châsse), from Latin capsa "box, repository" (especially for books), from capere "to take, hold" (from PIE root *kap- "to grasp").ETD case (n.2).2
The meaning "outer protective covering" is from late 14c. Also used from 1660s with a sense of "frame" (as in staircase, casement). Artillery sense is from 1660s, from case-shot "small projectiles put in cases" (1620s). Its application in the printing trade (first recorded 1580s) to the two shallow wooden trays where compositors keep their types in compartments for easy access led to upper-case for capital letters (1862), so called from its higher position on the compositor's sloped work-table, and lower-case for small letters.ETD case (n.2).3
principal protein-constituent of milk, forming the basis of cheese, 1841, from French caséine, from Latin caseus "cheese" (see cheese (n.1)) + chemical suffix -ine (2).ETD casein (n.).2
"knife carried in a sheath," 1704, from case (n.2) + knife (n.).ETD case-knife (n.).2
type of hinged sash-window that swings open like doors, early 15c., originally "hollow molding, frame for glass," probably a shortening of Old French dialectal enchassement "window frame" (Modern French enchâssement), from en- "in," prefix forming verbs, + casse "case, frame" (see case (n.2)) + -ment. Or possibly from Anglo-Latin cassementum, from casse. The "window" sense is from 1550s in English. Old folk etymology tended to make it gazement.ETD casement (n.).2
The Irish surname is originally Mc Casmonde (attested from 1429), from a misdivision of Mac Asmundr, from Irish mac "son of" + Old Norse Asmundr "god protector."ETD casement (n.).3
"cheese-like; of or pertaining to cheese," 1660s, from Latin caseus "cheese" (see cheese (n.1)) + -ous.ETD caseous (adj.).2
"social work carried out by the study of individuals," 1896, from case (n.1) in the clinical sense + work (n.). Related: Case-worker (1909).ETD case-work (n.).2
"convert (a check, etc.) to cash," 1811, from cash (n.). Encash (1865) also was sometimes used. Related: Cashed; cashing.ETD cash (v.).2
1590s, "money box;" also "money in hand, coin," from French caisse "money box" (16c.), from Provençal caissa or Italian cassa, from Latin capsa "box" (see case (n.2)); originally the money box, but by 18c. the secondary sense of the money in it became sole meaning.ETD cash (n.).2
Like many financial terms in English (bankrupt, etc.), it has an Italian heritage. Not related to (but influencing the form of) the colonial British cash "Indian monetary system, Chinese coin, etc.," which is from Tamil kasu, Sanskrit karsha, Sinhalese kasi.ETD cash (n.).3
Cash-crop "agricultural product grown to sell for profit" is attested from 1831; cash-flow from 1954; the mechanical cash-register "machine for automatically recording the sums of money deposited in it" is from 1875.ETD cash (n.).4
in early use also cachou, etc., "the cashew tree, or its edible nut," 1703, a shortening of French acajou, from older Portuguese acajú from Tupi (Brazil) acajuba, name of the tree that produces the nut.ETD cashew (n.).2
"dismiss from an office or place of trust," 1590s, from Middle Dutch casseren, kaseeren "to cast off, discharge," from French casser "to discharge, annul," from Late Latin cassare "annul," from Latin cassus "void, empty" (from extended form of PIE root *kes- "to cut"). Related: Cashiered; cashiering.ETD cashier (v.).2
"person in charge of money," 1590s, from French caissier "treasurer," from caisse "money box" (see cash (n.)). The immediate source of the English word might be Middle Dutch kassier.ETD cashier (n.).2
1833, "penniless," from cash (n.) + -less. Of financial transactions, "done without paper money or specie," 1947.ETD cashless (adj.).2
also Cassimere, etc., "type of fine, soft woolen fabric," favored for shawls, etc., 1839, short for Cashmere wool, from the old spellings of Kashmir, the Himalayan kingdom where wool was obtained from long-haired goats. As "shawl made of cashmere wool" from 1822.ETD cashmere (n.).2
masc. proper name, from Medieval Latin Casimirus from Polish Kazimierz, literally "proclaimer of peace," from kazać "to preach" + mir "peace" (see mir).ETD Casimir.2
1744, "public room for music or dancing," from Italian casino, literally "a little house," diminutive of casa "house," from Latin casa "hut, cottage, cabin," which is of uncertain origin. The card game (also cassino) is attested by that name from 1792. Specifically as "building for aristocratic gambling" by 1820, first in an Italian context.ETD casino (n.).2
"water-tight, barrel-like vessel for containing liquids," mid-15c., from French casque "a cask; a helmet," from Spanish casco "skull; wine-vat; helmet," originally "potsherd," from cascar "to break up," from Vulgar Latin *quassicare, frequentative of Latin quassare "to shake, shatter" (see quash). The sense evolution is uncertain.ETD cask (n.).2
mid-15c., "small box for jewels, etc.," possibly a diminutive of English cask with -et, or from a corruption of French casset "a casket, a chest" (see cassette). Also a publisher's name for a collection of selected literary or musical pieces (1828). Meaning "coffin" (especially an expensive one) is American English, probably euphemistic, attested by 1832.ETD casket (n.).2
of or pertaining to the great inland sea of central Asia, 1580s, from Latin Caspius, from Greek Kaspios, named for native people who lived on its shores (but who were said to be originally from the Caucasus), Latin Caspii, from a native self-designation, perhaps literally "white." Middle English had Caspy, Capsi.ETD Caspian (adj.).2
"armor for the head, helmet," 1570s, from French casque "a helmet," from Italian casco, from Spanish casco "a helmet; a skull" (see cask).ETD casque (n.).2
fem. proper name, Latinized form of Greek Kasandra, Kassandra, name of the daughter of Priam and Hecuba of Troy, seduced by Apollo, who gave her the gift of prophecy, but when she betrayed him he amended it so that, though she spoke truth, none would believe her. Used figuratively since 1660s.ETD Cassandra.2
The name is of uncertain origin, though the second element looks like a fem. form of Greek andros "of man, male human being." Watkins suggests PIE *(s)kand- "to shine" as its source. The name also has been connected to kekasmai "to surpass, excel," and Beekes suggests a source in PIE *(s)kend- "raise."ETD Cassandra.3
"to vacate, annul, make void," 1510s, from Late Latin cassatus, past participle of cassare, from Latin quassare "annul, quash" (see quash). Related: Cassated; cassating.ETD cassate (v.).2