carpita

Forms

carpita f (genitive carpitae); first declension^[1] Also spelled ⟨carpeta⟩ and ⟨carpetta⟩.^[2][3]

Etymology

It is from Latin carpō (“to pluck; to card”).^[2][3][1] Etymonline gives it as Medieval Latin or Old Italian, probably from the Latin verb, and explains the name by the cloth being made from unravelled, “plucked” fabric;^[4] Niermeyer describes it as coarse cloth made of lint.^[2] Du Cange calls it an Italian word.^[5]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is the Liber censuum of Cencius, of 1192.^[3]

Semantic evolution

It meant a coarse, shaggy cloth and things made of it.^[2][5] The statutes of the Teutonic Order allow the brothers a sack, a carpita and a linen sheet for their beds,^[1] and William of Rubruck tells of a guide who asked his party for a carpita or a tapestry.^[1] The general chapter of the Carmelites in 1281 ordered each friar to have a carpita, the sign of the order, woven and not sewn from pieces;^[5] an inventory of the papal treasury of 1295 lists one of silk velvet with a red ground and embroidery.^[5] Du Cange compares Old French carpite and Spanish carpeta, a rug.^[5] English carpet, first a coarse cloth, came from Old French carpite and goes back to it.^[4]

Timeline

• 1192 – The Liber censuum of Cencius uses it.^[3]
• 1204–1264 – The statutes of the Teutonic Order allow it as bedding.^[1][3]
• 1281 – The Carmelite general chapter makes it the sign of the order.^[5]
• 1295 – An inventory of the papal treasury lists one of silk velvet.^[5]
• late 13th century – English carpet “coarse cloth” is recorded.^[4]

Meanings

Noun

1. (Medieval Latin) A coarse cloth made of lint or plucked fibre.^[2][3][5]
2. (Medieval Latin) A blanket, coverlet.^[1][3]
3. (Medieval Latin) A cloak or habit of such cloth; a decorated hanging or carpet.^[5]

Related words

• English carpet

Usage notes

The Lexicon Bohemorum records a carpita that is perhaps a fish, the carp.^[6]

References

1. ^ a b c d e f Mittellateinisches Wörterbuch bis zum ausgehenden 13. Jahrhundert (1967–), Munich: C. H. Beck; Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften
2. ^ a b c d e Niermeyer, J. F. (1976), Mediae Latinitatis Lexicon Minus, Leiden: Brill
3. ^ a b c d e f g Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
4. ^ a b c Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
5. ^ a b c d e f g h i du Cange, Charles du Fresne, et al. (1883–1887), Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis, augmented ed. by Léopold Favre, Niort: L. Favre
6. ^ Latinitatis medii aevi lexicon Bohemorum / Slovník středověké latiny v českých zemích (1977–), Prague: Academia; electronic version, Institute of Philosophy of the Czech Academy of Sciences