carafe
UK[kəˈræf]US[kəˈræf]
n
A wide-mouthed glass or metal bottle with a lip, used for serving water or wine.
Etymology
The word 'carafe' entered English in the late 18th century from the French word 'carafe', meaning a glass water bottle. The French term was borrowed from the Italian 'caraffa', which itself came from the Arabic 'gharrafa', meaning 'to draw water' or 'drinking cup'. This Arabic term is likely derived from the verb 'gharafa', meaning 'to ladle, draw (water)'. The journey of this word, from an Arabic action related to drawing water to a specific vessel for serving it in European dining, exemplifies how trade and cultural exchange shape the vocabulary of the table.
Analysis
This word is a loanword borrowed as a single, unanalyzed unit into English. Its components are not productively used as separate morphemes in modern English word formation.
Examples
She placed a crystal carafe of iced water on the breakfast table.
The waiter refilled our wine from a sleek silver carafe.
For the party, they prepared a large carafe of sangria.