caramba 
caramba (ka-ram'bji). . Same as earambala. 
carambqla (ka-ram'bo-lii), . [E. Ind.] The 
acid fruit of the Averrhoa Carambola of tropi- 
cal Asia, which resembles the bilimbi, and is 
often cultivated. It is used for making tarts, 
etc. 
carambolet (kar-am-bol'), . [< F. oaramboie 
= Sp. Pg. It. carambola ; origin unknown. In 
E. now shortened to carom, q. v.] In billiards : 
(a) The red ball placed on the mark. (6) A 
carom (which see). 
carambolet (kar-am-bol'), r. ?'. [< F. caram- 
boler (= G. karambolieren = Dan. karambolerc 
= Sp. carambolear = Pg. carambolar), carom, 
< carambole, carom (in billiards). In E. now 
shortened to carom, q. v.] In billiards, to 
carom. 
caramel (kar'a-mel), >t. [< F. caramel, burnt 
sugar, = It. cnramella = Sp. Pg. caramelo, a 
lozenge, sugar-candy, prob. a corruption of 
ML. calamellus (mellitus), sugar-cane (also by 
simulation canamella, cannamelki, and separate- 
ly cana mcllis, 'cane of honey'), calamellus be- 
ing prop. dim. of calamus, a reed, cane: see 
calamus.] 1. Anhydrous or burnt sugar, a pro- 
duct of the action of heat upon sugar. When cane- 
sugar is heated in an oil or metal bath to between 210 and 
220 J C., it begins to assume a brown color of continually in- 
creasing depth, and when the tumefaction has ceased the 
vessel contains a black substance to which the name of 
caramel has been given. It has a high luster, like an- 
thracite, and dissolves readily in water, giving it a fine 
sepia tint. Its composition is the same as that of cane- 
sugar in its compound with oxid of lead. It is used for 
giving a brown color to spirits, soups, gravies, etc. 
2. A sweet, variously composed and flavored, 
but generally consisting of chocolate, sugar, 
and butter, and dark-colored. 
Sometimes spelled caromel. 
caramelization (kar-a-mel-i-za'shon), B. [< 
caramelize + -ation.] The transformation of 
sugar into caramel. 
caramelize (kar'a-mel-Iz), v. t. ; pret. and pp. 
caramelized, ppr. earamtUttng. [< caramel + 
-ize.~\ To transform or convert into caramel : 
as, caramelised sugar. 
caramote (kar'a-mot), n. [F. ; cf. Sp. cara- 
muyo = Pg. caramujo, a kind of sea-snail, = It. 
caramogio, a dwarf, a shrimp.] A rather large 
species of shrimp, Penaius caramote, common in 
the Mediterranean, where it is caught in great 
numbers and salted for exportation. 
carangid (ka-ran'jid), n. A fish of the family 
Carangida?. 
Carangidae (ka-ran'ji-de), n. pi. [NL., < Ca- 
ranx (-rang-) + -ida\~\ A family of acanthopte- 
rygian fishes, represented by the genus Caranx, 
to which various limits have been assigned, 
(a) In Giinther's system, a family of Acanthopterygh cotto- 
scombriformes, with the skeleton firm, no bony stay for the 
preoperculum, teeth conical or triangular if present, the 
spinous portion of the dorsal present (sometimes rudi- 
mentary), the body compressed, oblong or elevated, with 
10 abdominal and 14 caudal vertebrae. In this sense it 
has been used by most European ichthyologists since 1862. 
It includes flshes which have been distributed by others 
in the families Carantjidtz, Pomatomidfe, Psettidce, Zan- 
clidce, CaproUae, EqtmKdie etc. (6) In Gill's system re- 
stricted to Scnmbroidea with 10 abdominal and from 14 
to 16 caudal vertebrae, a short or atrophied first dorsal 
flu, second dorsal and anal long, opposite, and nearly 
alike, generally two anal spines detached and forming a 
finlet, and non-protractile jaws. These limits have been 
adopted by most recent American ichthyologists. It em- 
braces numerous species of tropical flshes, the best-known 
of which are the cavallies, pompanos, and pilot-nsh. 
Carangidce is the family name for the flshes generally 
known as cavally or crevalle, jack, pompano, scad, etc. 
Stand. Xat. Hist., III. 186. 
Caranginse (kar-an-ji'ne), n. pi. [NL., < Ca- 
ranx (-rowj?-) -I- 4na:.~\ A subfamily of Carangi- 
dce; the cavallies or horse-mackerels. The pre- 
maxillaries are protractile, the pectoral flns long and fal- 
cate, the anal fln is like the second dorsal and with its base 
longer than the abdomen, the maxillary has a supplemen- 
tary bone, the dorsal outline is more curved than the ven- 
tral outline, and the back and abdomen are rounded. Also 
Carancini, Carangtni. See cut under Caranx. 
carangine (ka-ran'jin), a. and . I. a. Per- 
taining to or having the characters of the Ca- 
raiiginw or Carangidte. 
II. n. A member of the subfamily Carangina;. 
carangoid (ka-rang'goid), a. and n. [< NL. 
Caranx (-rang-) + Gr. eMof, shape.] I, a. Of 
or pertaining to or resembling the Carangidai. 
II. . One of the Carangida;. 
caranna (ka-ran'a), . Same as carauna. 
carantot, n. Same as coranto. 
Come, gallants, who'le run a cnranto, or leapealevalto? 
Marston, The Fawne, ii. 1. 
Caranx (kar'anks), . [NL., appar. < Sp. ca- 
rangue, caranga, a kind of flatfish in the West 
Indies.] The typical genus of the family Ca- 
rangida;. The scad or horse-mackerel, Caranx vulgrtrix, 
S14 
Cavally. or Horse-mackerel (Caratixtitlearis}. 
C. trachunix, or Tracliitntft saunut, is the best-known ex- 
ample. 
Carapa (kar'a-pa), 'ii. [NL. (Pg. OOfaipa), < ca- 
raipi, a native Guiana, name.] 1. A genus of 
tropical trees, natural order Meliacea. A South 
American species, C. Guianeti*i#, is a flue large tree, the 
bark of which is in repute as a febrifuge. Oil made from 
its seeds (called carap-oil or crab-oil) is used for lamps. 
The wood, called carapa-wood or crab-wood, is light and 
takes a good polish ; it is used for making furniture, and 
also for the spars of ships. The oil of the African species, 
C. Touloucouna , called coondi, kundah, or tallicoona oil, 
is used by the negroes for making soap and anointing their 
bodies, its taste being so bitter that it serves as a defense 
against bites of vermin. The oil of the South American 
carapa is used for the same purpose. 
2. [/. c.] A tree belonging to this genus. 
carapace (kar'a-pas), n. [Also carapax; < F. 
carapace, < Cat. cara- 
bassa = Sp. carapaclio 
= It. dial, caravazza, a 
gourd: see calabash.] 
1. The shell of a turtle 
or tortoise; specifical- 
ly, the upper shell, the 
i.Carapacc of Tortoise (Emys}, 
dorsal surface, outside. The 
heavy lines indicate the divi- 
sions of the epidermal plates or 
scutes forming the tortoise-shell ; 
the light lines show the sutures 
of the bony plates underlying 
and supporting the shell. i-S, 
ic A'p 
2. Cross-section of Carapace and 
Plastron of Tortoise, t, centrum of 
a vertebra; ns, its expanded neu- 
ral spine ; r, expanded rib, form- 
ing one moss with a lateral scute 
and ending at a marginal plate ; 
ic, interclavicular scute, or ento- 
plastron ; hp, hyosternal scute, or 
epiplastron. 
uorn . i-, 
expanded neural spines of ver- 
tebrae ; rl-r8, expanded costal 
plates of ribs ; nu, nuchal plate ; fy, pygal plate ; m, series of mar- 
ginal plates. 
under shell being called the plastron. See also 
cut under Chelonia. 2. In Mammalia, the shell 
of an armadillo. 3. In Cirripedia, the multi- 
valvular shell, test, or case. 4. In higher Crus- 
tacea, the shield covering the cephalothorax, 
sometimes separable into a cephalostegite and 
an omostegite. See cut under Apws. 5. One 
of the many hard cases, tests, or shells which 
are likened to a carapace, as those of certain 
inf usorians ; a lorica. 
carapacial (kar-a-pa'shal), a. [< carapace + 
-ial.] Of or pertaining to a carapace. 
The lateral portions of the carapacml ridge, becoming 
deeper, are converted into branchiostcgites, and the cav- 
ities which they overarch are the branchial chambers. 
Huxley, Crayfish, p. 217. 
carapax (kar'a-paks), n. Same as carapace. 
carap-oil (kar'ap-oil), n. Oil obtained from 
Carapa Giiianensis. See Carapa, 1. 
carasow, . See curassow, 
Carassius (ka-ras'i-us), n. [NL., < F. carassin, 
a carp : see crucian.] A genus of carps or cyp- 
rinoid fishes containing the common goldfish, 
C. auratus. See goldfish. 
carassow, n. See curassoto. 
carat, karat (kar'at), . [Early mod. E. also 
caract (simulating caract, cltaracter, a charac- 
ter, mark, stamp); =D. karaat=G. fcarat(MHG. 
karat, gardt) = Dan. Sw. karat, < F. carat = Pr. 
carat = It. carato = Sp. Pg. quilate, OPg. em- 
rate = Turk. Pers. qlrdt, < Ar. qirdt, qirrdt, a 
carat, the twenty-fourth of an ounce, four bar- 
leycorns, also a pod, husk (= LL. cerates), < 
Gr. Kcpdnov, the fruit of the locust-tree, also, 
like L. siliqua (see siliqua), a weight, the carat, 
also and lit. a little horn, dim. of Kepaf (nepar-), 
a horn, akin to E. liorn : see ccrato- and /torn.] 
If. An old weight equal to a scruple, or the 
twenty-fourth part of an ounce troy. 2f. A 
unit of mass formerly used in various countries 
for weighing gold. It was generally the 24th part of 
a mark of gold, and was subdivided into 12 grains. It was 
commonly equal to about 150.5 troy grains. 
Hence 3. A twenty-fourth part : specifically 
used in expressing the fineness of gold when 
used as jewelry. Thus, pure gold being considered as 
24 carats fine, if two, six, or ten twenty-fourths of alloy 
(commonly copper or silver) is present, the gold is said to 
he 22, 18, or 14 carats fine, and so on. The gold used by 
caravan 
jewelers is seldom over 18 carats flue, except in wedding- 
rinirs. the standard fineness of which is 22 carats. Gold 
of 18 carats fine is almost invariably used in mounting 
diamonds, while 14-carat gold is said to be ordinarily used 
in the United States for gold chains, etc. 
4. A unit of weight for precious stones, divided 
by jewelers into 4 grains, called diamoiuLgraing, 
but equal to about 3 troy grains, 151 English 
carats being taken as equal to an ounce troy. 
In 1877 the weight of the carat was fixed by a syndicate 
of London, Paris, and Amsterdam jewelers at 205 milli- 
grams, or 151.76 carats to the troy ounce. Under the 
translated form Kfpdrioi>, or ceratiwn, siliqua was adopted 
by Constantino into the system of weights of the empire 
as -rjy of an ounce, equal to 189 milligrams. In Italy it re- 
mained as a part of the system of weights, in general with 
the same relation to the ounce and with nearly the same 
value. The Arabic oirat was the 24th part of the mithkal, 
and was subdivided sometimes into 4, sometimes into 3 
grains, its value for gems being very nearly 3 grains 
troy. The Castilian carat, j}, of a Castilian ounce, or 
3.184 troy grains, was, like the rest of the Castilian sys- 
tem, adopted from the Arabs. From Spain this has passed 
to the rest of Europe and to America, with only small 
modifications, less than unlegalized units commonly un- 
dergo, under the name of the Amsterdam or diaimntd 
carat, which is usually divided into 64ths. Pearls are sold 
by the diamond-grain and not by the carat, while small 
baroque pearls, coral, rough garnets, and the inferior 
kinds of stones are sold by the ounce troy. The subdi- 
visions of the carat are always expressed in fourths, eighths, 
sixteenths, etc. 
Often abbreviated car. or K. 
carat (kar'at), v. t. [Early mod. E. also caract; 
< carat, caract, n.'] To try or refine (gold). 
Caratlare, to touch or trie gold, to refine or make per- 
fect, to caract. Florio. 
carate (ka-ra'te), . [S. Amer.] A cutaneous 
disease occurring in South America, which pro- 
duces scarlet, brown, or blue blotches, espe- 
cially on the face, hands, and feet. 
carauna (ka-ra'na), . [Also written carana, 
caranna (NL. carana) ; native name.] A soft, 
greenish-brown, balsamic oleo-resin produced 
by a burseraceous tree, probably Protium Ca- 
rana, found on the head waters of the Amazon 
and Orinoco. It is exported in little masses, rolled up 
in leaves of flags. It has an agreeable aromatic smell, and 
a bitterish slightly pungent taste. It was formerly used 
in plasters. 
Caravan (kar'a-van or kar-a-van'V n. [= D. 
karavaan = G". karawane =" Dan. karavane = 
Sw. kararan, < F. caravane, < Sp. caravana = 
Pg. caravana = It. carovana (ML. caravanna, 
caravenna, carvanna, carranus = MGr. Kapftaviav, 
NGr. Kapflavi) = Turk. Tcdrwan (la/drwdn) = Ar. 
kairawdn = Hind, kdrwdn, < Pers. kdrwdn, kdra- 
tcdn, a caravan. Prob. orig. Pers., but by some 
considered orig. Ar. ; cf. Pers. kdr, business, 
work, Ar. kair. trade, profession, kird, kirwa, 
hire, hiring. In sense ii shortened to raw : see 
van*.'] 1. A company of travelers, pilgrims, or 
merchants, in many parts of Asia and Africa, 
who associate together that they may travel 
with greater security, especially through des- 
erts or regions infested by robbers. Nearly all 
commerce in these countries was formerly carried on by 
caravans, using camels chiefly for transportation; and 
they are still numerous, though largely superseded by 
other methods. 
Men who pass 
In troop or caravan. Milton, P. B,., i. 323. 
Great caravans, formerly composed of Pagans, now of 
Mahometans, passed from west to east, in the same man- 
ner as in ancient times, to buy and disperse India goods 
through Africa. Bruce, Source of the Nile, II. 61. 
2. Figuratively, any large number of persons 
traveling together, especially when moving 
slowly or with much baggage ; poetically, any 
large number of persons, or even animals, con- 
sidered as traveling together to a common des- 
tination. 
Their aery caravan, high over seas 
Flying. Milton, P. L., vii. 428. 
When thy summons comes to join 
The innumerable caravan, which moves 
To that mysterious realm ... of death. 
Bryant, Thanatopsis. 
3. A large covered carriage used for conveying 
passengers, or a company of people traveling 
together, or a traveling exhibition or show; 
hence, any large covered wagon or cart for 
travel or transport : often abbreviated to row. 
Alike, gay widow, virgin, wife, 
Ingenious to diversify dull life, 
In coaches, chaises, caravans, and hoys, 
Fly to the coast for daily, nightly joys. 
Cowprr, Retirement. 
He had never seen such a fat boy in or out of a travel- 
ling caravan. Dickens, Pickwick, II. xxvi. 
4f. A number of vessels or barks in company, 
or an expedition with such vessels. 
Their galleys still spread over the Levant and came 
back victorious from their caravans, as their cruises 
against the Moslems were called. PregcoU. 
6f. A hood with hoops or springs of whalebone 
and an adjustable veil for the face. Fairholt. 
