carrel

Meaning

Noun

• A small closet or enclosure built against a window on the inner side, to sit in for study.
• Hence, a partially partitioned space for studying or reading, often in a library.
• A square-headed arrow; a quarrel.

Origin

• From Medieval Latin carula, probably from Latin corolla ("little crown") in the sense of “ring”; or from Middle English caroll, from Medieval Latin carola, from Late Latin carola ("round dance; round object"), from Latin choraula, variant of choraulēs (further etymology at carol).
• Possibly a variant of quarrel.