ENGLISH
REFERENCE

crate

n. countable
B1 Intermediate US //ˈkɹeɪt// UK //kɹˈeɪt// crate Slang Vulgar

n. a strong box, usually made of wood or plastic, used for storing or transporting goods.

n. a sturdy container, typically made of wood, metal, or plastic, used for packing, storing, or transporting goods.


SIMPLE

He carried the heavy crate to the truck.

CONTEXTUAL

The warehouse worker stacked the fragile crates carefully to avoid breaking the glass inside.

COMPLEX

The antique dealer carefully unpacked the wooden crate, revealing a collection of Victorian furniture that had survived the long sea voyage without a single scratch.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Origin

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 gretH- (“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”), modern English cart. Wider cognates include Sanskrit ग्रन्थ (grantha, “a binding”). Alternatively from Latin crātis (“wickerwork”), perhaps from the same PIE root.

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