Chapter Carludovica to Carry the Day of C by Brewer's Phrase & Fable

Carpenter is from the Low Latin carpentarius, a maker of carpenta (two-wheeled carts and carriages). The carpentum was used for ladies; the carpentum funebre or carpentum pompaticum was a hearse. There was also a carpentum (cart) for agricultural purposes. There is no Latin word for our “carpenter”; the phrase faber lignarius is used by Cicero. Our forefathers called a carpenter a “smith” or a “wood- smith.” (French, charpentér.)

Carpet    The magic carpet of Tangu. A carpet to all appearances worthless, but if anyone sat thereon, it would transport him instantaneously to the place he wished to go. So called because it came from Tangu, in Persia. It is sometimes termed Prince Housain's carpet, because it came into his hands, and he made use of it. (Arabian Nights: Prince Ahmed.) (See below.)
   Solomon's carpet. The Eastern writers say that Solomon had a green silk carpet, on which his throne was placed when he travelled. This carpet was large enough for all his forces to stand upon; the men and women stood on his right hand, and the spirits on his left. When all were arranged in order, Solomon told the wind where he wished to go, and the carpet, with all its contents, rose in the air and alighted at the place indicated. In order to screen the party from the sun, the birds of the air with outspread wings formed a canopy over the whole party. (Sale: Koran.) (See above.)
   Such and such a question is on the carpet. The French sur le tapis (on the table-cloth)- i.e. before the house, under consideration. The question has been laid on the table-cloth of the house, and is now under debate.

Carpet-bag Adventurer (A). A passing adventurer, who happens to be on the road with his travelling or carpet-bag.

Carpet-bag Government The government of mere adventurers. In America, a state in the South reorganised by “carpet-baggers,” i.e. Northern political adventurers, who sought a career in the Southern States after the Civil War of 1865. [It may be noted that in America members of Congress and the State legislatures almost invariably reside in the district which they represent.]

Carpet Knight One dubbed at Court by favour, not having won his spurs by military service in the field. Mayors, lawyers, and other civilians knighted as they kneel on a carpet before their sovereign. “Knights of the Carpet,” “Knights of the Green Cloth,” “Knights of Carpetry.”

“The subordinate commands fell to young patricians, carpet-knights, who went on campaigns with their families and slaves.”- Froude: Caesar, chap. iv. p. 91.

Carpocratians Gnostics; so called from Carpocrates, who flourished in the middle of the second century. They maintained that the world was made by angels,- that only the soul of Christ ascended into heaven,- and that the body will have no resurrection.

Carriage Company Persons who keep their private carriage

“Seeing a great deal of carriage company”- Thackeray.

Carriages Things carried, luggage.

“And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to Jerusalem.”- Acts xxi. 15.

Carronades (3 syl.). Short, light iron guns. As they have no trunnions they differ in this respect from guns and howitzers (q.v.). They were invented in 1779 by Mr. Gascoigne, director of the Carron foundry, in Scotland, whence the name. Carronades are fastened to their carriages by a loop underneath, and are chiefly used in the arming of ships, to enable them to throw heavy shot at close quarters, without overloading the decks with heavy guns. On shore they are used as howitzers.

Carry Arms! Hold your gun in the right hand, the barrel nearly perpendicular, and resting against the hollow of the shoulder, the thumb and forefinger embracing the guard. (A military command.) (See Carry Swords .)