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ca·rot·id

(kə-rŏtĭd)

Either of the two major arteries, one on each side of the neck, that carry blood to the head.

adj.

Of or relating to either of these arteries.

[French carotide, from Greek karōtides, carotid arteries, from karoun, to stupefy (because compression of these arteries causes loss of consciousness); see ker-¹ in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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