Car"at (kăr"ăt), n.
[F. carat (cf. It. carato, OPg. quirate, Pg.
& Sp. quilate), Ar. qīrāt bean or pea
shell, a weight of four grains, a carat, fr. Gr.
kera`tion a little horn, the fruit of the carob tree,
a weight, a carat. See Horn.] 1. The
weight by which precious stones and pearls are weighed.
&fist; The carat equals three and one fifth grains
Troy, and is divided into four grains, sometimes called carat
grains. Diamonds and other precious stones are estimated by
carats and fractions of carats, and pearls, usually, by carat
grains. Tiffany.
2. A twenty-fourth part; -- a term used
in estimating the proportionate fineness of gold.
&fist; A mass of metal is said to be so many carats
fine, according to the number of twenty-fourths of pure gold
which it contains; as, 22 carats fine (goldsmith's
standard) = 22 parts of gold, 1 of copper, and 1 of silver.
