Carpet

n. [O. Fr. carpite, tapis, sorte de drap, N. Fr. carpette, gros drap rayé d'emballage, It. carpita, rug, blanket, It. & L. Lat. carpetta, a kind of female dress at Venice; Sp. carpeta, a table-carpet, L. Lat. carpeta, carpita, woolly cloths, from Lat. carpere, to pluck, O. Fr. carpir, de la laine, lanam, Lat. carpere, to pluck wool, carpie, now charpie, lint, Pr. carp, spongy, porous. Cf. CARPMEALS.] 1. A heavy fabric, commonly woven of wool, used as a covering for floors; originally, also, a wrought cover for tables. Tables and beds covered with capes instead of carpets and coverlets. Fuller. 2. A smooth, soft covering, resembling a carpet. “The grassy carpet of this plain.” Shak. Carpet knight. (a.) A knight who enjoys ease and security, or luxury, and has not known the hardships of the field. Shak. (b.) One made a knight, for some other than military distinction or service.—To be on the carpet, to be under consideration; to be the subject of deliberation.