carpet: [14] Originally, carpet was simply a sort of rough cloth, and medieval Latin carpīta, for example, was sometimes used for a garment made from it. In earliest English use it was a ‘table-cloth’ or ‘bed-spread’, and it was not until the 15th century that the specialized ‘floorcovering’ began to establish itself. The word itself entered English via either Old French carpite or medieval Latin carpīta, which was derived from carpīre, an alteration of Latin carpere ‘pluck’ (related to English harvest).
The underlying notion seems to be that such cloth was originally made from ‘plucked’ fabric, that is, fabric which had been unravelled or shredded.
carpet (n.)
late 13c., "coarse cloth;" mid-14c., "tablecloth, bedspread;" from Old French carpite "heavy decorated cloth, carpet," from Medieval Latin or Old Italian carpita "thick woolen cloth," probably from Latin carpere "to card, pluck," probably so called because it was made from unraveled, shreded, "plucked" fabric; from PIE *kerp- "to gather, pluck, harvest" (see harvest (n.)). Meaning shifted 15c. to floor coverings.
From 16c.-19c. as an adjective often with a tinge of contempt, when used of men (as in carpet-knight, 1570s) by association with luxury, ladies' boudoirs, and drawing rooms. On the carpet "summoned for reprimand" is 1900, U.S. colloquial (but compare carpet (v.) "call (someone) to be reprimanded," 1823, British servants' slang). To sweep or push something under the carpet in the figurative sense is first recorded 1953.
carpet (v.)
"to cover with a carpet," 1620s, from carpet (n.). Meaning "call to reprimand" is from 1840. Related: Carpeted; carpeting.
中文解释
1. 最初的地毯就是撕下、扯下的一小块儿布做成的。2. 同源词：carp, harvest, excerpt.3. 分尸法：car pet 车(car)上有宠物(pet)，为了保持卫生，必须铺地毯(carpet)4. 谐音“卡铺地、卡披地”------卡片铺在地上作地毯。5. red carpet （迎接贵宾用的）红地毯；隆重的接待
实用例句
1. The carpet was a wedding present from the Prime Minister.
这张地毯是首相送的结婚礼物。
来自柯林斯例句
2. It is not possible to reposition the carpet without damaging it.
想要挪动地毯又不让它损坏是不可能的。
来自柯林斯例句
3. While the water was heating she decided to shake out the carpet.
趁着烧水的时候，她决定将地毯抖抖干净。
来自柯林斯例句
4. We'll give her some VIP treatment and roll out the red carpet.
我们将给予她贵宾级礼遇，并且为她铺设红地毯。
来自柯林斯例句
5. A grey carpet was removed to reveal the original pine floor.