crate

Etymology

From Dutch krat (“crate, large box, basket”), from Middle Dutch cratte (“basketware, mold”), from Old Dutch *kratta, *kratto (“basket”), from Proto-Germanic *kratjô, *krattijô (“basket”), from Proto-Indo-European *gred-, *gre(n)t- (“plaiting, wicker, basket, cradle”), from Proto-Indo-European *ger- (“to bind, twist, wind”). Cognate with West Frisian kret (“wheelbarrow”), German Krätze (“basket”), Old English cræt, ceart (“cart, wagon, chariot”), Old Norse kartr (“wagon”). More at cart.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /kɹeɪt/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -eɪt

Noun

crate (plural crates)

1. A large open box or basket, used especially to transport fragile goods.
2. (slang) A decrepit old motor vehicle, spaceship, etc.
   • 2010, Gillian Coleby, Knocking on the Moonlit Door (page 99)

     I will make this box of electronics and computer chips fly like no other spaceship has ever flown. Mission Control wanted to see what this crate could do.

Verb

crate (third-person singular simple present crates, present participle crating, simple past and past participle crated)

1. To put into a crate.
2. To keep in a crate.

Anagrams

• Carte, React, Trace, acter, caret, carte, cater, creat, react, recta, reäct, trace

Noun

crāte

1. ablative singular of crātis