carry-over
UK[ˈkær.i.əʊ.vər]US[ˈkær.i.oʊ.vər]
n
something that remains or continues from an earlier time or situation.
n
the act of transferring an amount to the next column, page, or accounting period.
Morpheme Breakdown
carry
over
carry
to bear
over
above/across
Etymology
the compound 'carry-over' is a modern english formation that transparently combines two native elements. the verb 'carry' has a complex history, entering english from norman french but with ultimate roots in a celtic word for a wagon or cart, conceptually linked to bearing a load. the particle 'over', with ancient proto-indo-european origins related to superiority and transition, adds a sense of spatial or temporal extension. when fused, the literal sense of 'carrying something across' evolved into the abstract financial and general meanings of transferring a quantity or allowing a remnant to persist from one context to another. this logical shift from physical transportation to conceptual continuation exemplifies the productivity of phrasal-verb compounding in english.
Analysis
Structure: carry (to bear) + over (above/across)
carry (from old north french 'carier', meaning to transport in a vehicle, of celtic/gaulish origin, possibly via late latin 'carricare', functional role: verb root). over (from old english 'ofer', meaning above or across, of germanic origin, from proto-indo-european uper, functional role: adverbial particle).
Examples
there was a significant carry-over of enthusiasm from the successful campaign into the new project.
the accountant noted a carry-over of unused funds to the next fiscal year.
some traditions are a carry-over from earlier, more superstitious times.