GOVERNESS CART Meaning and
Definition
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A governess cart is a small horse-drawn carriage that was commonly used during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It was specifically designed to transport a governess - a woman employed to educate and supervise children in a private household - along with her charges. The term "governess" refers to a female teacher or governess who typically worked for the upper-class families.
The governess cart is distinguished by its compact size and practical design. It usually features two wheels, which are often large in diameter to provide stability and ensure a smooth ride. The body of the carriage is commonly open, allowing easy access for the governess and the children. To protect the occupants from adverse weather conditions, a retractable hood or a collapsible top is often provided.
The cart is typically pulled by a single horse, which is harnessed to a shaft or a pair of shafts attached to the body of the carriage. Due to its small size and lightweight construction, the governess cart is easily maneuverable, making it suitable for traversing narrow country lanes and village roads.
In addition to transporting the governess and the children, the governess cart often served other practical purposes. It could be used for running errands, attending social gatherings, or taking leisurely drives. Its versatility and affordability made it a popular mode of transport among the middle and upper classes during its heyday.
Today, the governess cart is primarily seen as a historical curiosity, often found in museums or as part of heritage displays.
Common Misspellings for GOVERNESS CART
- foverness cart
- voverness cart
- boverness cart
- hoverness cart
- yoverness cart
- toverness cart
- giverness cart
- gkverness cart
- glverness cart
- gpverness cart
- g0verness cart
- g9verness cart
- gocerness cart
- goberness cart
- gogerness cart
- goferness cart
- govwrness cart
- govsrness cart
- govdrness cart
- govrrness cart
Etymology of GOVERNESS CART
The word "governess cart" originated from the combination of two separate words: "governess" and "cart".
The term "governess" goes back to the Late Middle English period, derived from the Old French word "governant", which means "the one who governs". The Old French term itself comes from the Latin word "gubernare", meaning "to govern". Originally, a "governess" referred to a woman who was employed to educate or supervise children of affluent families.
On the other hand, a "cart" has a much older history. It can be traced back to the Old English word "carr", which meant a type of wheeled vehicle. The Old English term originated from Proto-Germanic "karro", and ultimately from the Proto-Indo-European root "*kers-", meaning "to run" or "to ride".
