Etymology

The influence of ON kartr is often cited to explain the metathesis of /r/ + vowel in ME cart next to OE cræt (though the reverse is more usual between OE and ON); but presence or absence of metathesis is no secure test of loan (as noted by Bj. who argues against it). It may be significant (as OED notes), however, that the unmetathesized form never occurs in ME. The ult. etymology is somewhat obscure, though it is often connected with WGmc words relating to baskets or wickerwork, e.g. OHG kratto 'basket', MDu crat 'hamper' (see further Kroonen, OED).

PGmc Ancestor

*krattaz

Proposed ON Etymon (OIcel representative)

kartr 'cart'
(ONP kartr (sb.))

Other Scandinavian Reflexes

Icel kartur, Norw kart

OE Cognate

cræt 'cart, wagon, chariot'

Phonological and morphological markers

[

metathesis

] (possibly diagnostic)

Summary category

CC2

Attestation

The metathesized form is attested early from a1150(OE) Vsp.D.Hom.Nicod. (Vsp D.14) and Orrm, and is common and widespread in ME.

Occurrences in the Gersum Corpus

Cl 1259; WA 3058, 3629

Carte wise at WA 3629 is often printed as a compound.

Bibliography

MED cart (n.) , OED cart (n.) , HTOED , Bj. 244, de Vries kartr, Mag. kart(u)r (2), Orel *krattaz ~ *krattōn, Kroonen kratt/dan-, DOE cræt, AEW cræt