carter English · revision 5833

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=a1250}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈkɑː.tə/, US /ˈkɑːr.t̬ɚ/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English carter, from Anglo-French careter and in part an agent noun from [[cart]], formed [[af|en|cart|-er]].^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) The NODE gives the influence of Old Norse kartr “cart” and Old Northern French carete.^(NODE 1998)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ One who drives a cart: before 1250 in the OED, the early 13th century in Etymonline; it is a surname from the late 12th century.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The driver of a chariot is from before 1300 in the OED.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ As a type of a low-born, uncultured man, a boor, it is from 1509.^(OED 1989)^(Etymonline) The carter spider, a harvestman, is from 1665, and the carter fish, a kind of flatfish, from 1884.^(OED 1989) In Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire, the carter was the head man in a farm's stables, the wagoner.^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * late 12th century – as a surname.^(Etymonline)

+ * a1250 – a cart driver.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1509 – a boor.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1665 – the carter spider.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1884 – the carter fish.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A person who drives a [[cart]], especially for transporting goods.^(OED 1989)^(MWU 2024)

+ # ''(dialect)'' The head man in the stables of a [[farm]]; a [[wagoner]].^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[cartwright]]

+ * [[cart]]

+ * [[car]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Carter has been a surname from this occupation since the late 12th century.^(Etymonline) A different, obsolete carter (1566) meant a card player.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}