1530s, from Middle French carrotte, from Latin carota, from Greek karoton "carrot," probably from PIE *kre-, from root *ker- (1) "horn, head" (see horn (n.)); so called for its horn-like shape. Originally white-rooted and a medicinal plant to the ancients, who used it as an aphrodisiac and to prevent poisoning. Not entirely distinguished from parsnips in ancient times. Reintroduced in Europe by Arabs c. 1100. The orange carrot, which existed perhaps as early as 6c., probably began as a mutation of the Asian purple carrot and was cultivated into the modern edible plant 16c.-17c. in the Netherlands. Thus the word is used as a color name but not before 1670s in English, originally of red hair.
雙語例句
1. The government is proclaiming a carrot-and-stick approach to the problem.
對于這個問題，政府宣布要采取軟硬兩手應對。
來自柯林斯例句
2. Mix the meat with the onion, carrot, and some seasoning.
把肉和洋蔥、胡蘿卜及一些佐料攪拌在一起。
來自柯林斯例句
3. Instead of snacking on crisps and chocolate, nibble on celery or carrot.
不要把薯片和巧克力當零食來吃，要吃些芹菜和胡蘿卜。
來自柯林斯例句
4. Higher education grants are a carrot with which to entice students.
高等教育的助學金是吸引學生的誘惑物.
來自《簡明英漢詞典》
5. Arabian jam is also known as angels' hair preserve, or more prosaically as carrot jam.