ct

Everyday

1. ct: short for «carat», the unit for the weight of diamonds and gems (1 carat = 0.2 grams), and also for «karat» (in the US), the measure of how pure gold is (24 ct = pure gold). tree →
2. ct: short for «cent» or «cents» in prices, as in «50 ct». tree →
3. Ct: short for «Court» in addresses: «12 Oak Ct». tree →
4. CT: short for «computed tomography»: a CT scan is an X-ray scan that makes pictures of slices of the inside of the body. tree →
5. CT: the postal code for Connecticut, a state in the USA. tree →
6. (sport, other) ct also stands for «caught» in some cricket scorecards and «count» in some lists. tree →

In the lessons

It is an honest entry for an abbreviation, not a word. Children see «ct» on jewellery («18 ct gold»), on addresses, in hospital talk («a CT scan») and on maps and letters in the USA. In maths, «ct» on a price label means cents. Phrases: «18 ct gold», «a CT scan».

Examples

• Mum's ring is 18 ct gold. tree →
• The diamond weighs 2 ct. tree →
• We live at 4 Maple Ct. tree →
• The doctor sent Grandad for a CT scan of his head. tree →
• My penpal lives in Hartford, CT. tree →
• The sticker said 99 ct. tree →

Note

Not a word you say aloud: read it as «carat», «cent», «court», «C-T scan» or «Connecticut» depending on the place. Trap: «carat» (gem weight), «karat» (gold purity, US spelling) and «carrot» (vegetable) sound the same. In maths, 24-carat gold is pure; 18-carat gold is 18/24 = three quarters gold.