Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1941 (SND Vol. II).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
CARAFF, n. “A decanter for holding water, a word which does not seem to be used in E[ng.]” (Sc. 1825 Jam.2). N.E.D. says the word has been long in common use in Sc., but is of later appearance in Eng. Not given in D.O.S.T. nor in E.D.D. Gen.Sc. [kɑ′rɑf]Sc. 1858 E. B. Ramsay Reminisc. (1862) I. v. 258:
[With old-fashioned Scotch people] the crystal jug or decanter in which water is placed upon the table, was a caraff.
