Also 7 creat, (? 8 crade). [app. ad. L. crāt-is hurdle.
But connection with Du. krat basket, and its cognates is not impossible. Cf. esp. dial. Du. krat, kret, a ladder-shaped frame attached to the back of a wagon to extend its area. Sense 3 is difficult, alike from its sense and early date: it may be a different word, though quite possible as a fig. application.]
† 1. A hurdle or frame of parallel cross bars. Obs.
1526. Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W., 1531), 72 b. Saynt Laurence whan he laye rostynge on the yren crate.
2. A large case, basket, or hamper of wicker-work, for carrying crockery, glass, or other goods; any case or box of open bars or slats of wood, for carrying fruit, etc.
1688. R. Holme, Armoury, III. 239/2. The Women of Lapland … bear on their backs things like Pedlars Creats.
a. 1750[?]. Jack Horner, 11. Six jolly blades … Who on their shoulders carry’d crades, And glasses in the same.
1775. Johnson, Journ. W. Isl. Scot., Wks. 1825, IX. 80. I have seen a horse carrying home the harvest on a crate.
1796. Hull Advertiser, 6 Feb., 3/2. A sloop loaden with crates of earthenware.
1840. Hood, Kilmansegg, cv. The dish and the plate, Taken out of a Staffordshire crate.
1882. P. Robinson, Under the Gun, III. v. 205. A wicker crate filled with ducks.
fig. 1859. Tennyson, Vivien, 623. So lean … the skin Clung but to crate and basket, ribs and spine.
b. The frame in which a glazier carries his glass; also a measure of glass; see quot.
1823. P. Nicholson, Pract. Build., 420. The glass is bought by the crate, which consists of twelve tables of the best.
1832. G. R. Porter, Porcelain & Gl., 186. Twelve of these plates make up what is called a crate or side of glass.
† 3. Applied contemptuously to a person. Obs.
c. 1460. Towneley Myst., 201. (To Jesus) Com furthe, old crate, Belyfe; We shalle lede the a trot.
14[?]. How March. dyd Wyfe betray, 213, in Hazl., E. P. P. (1864), I. 206. Hyt was thy wyfe, that olde crate.
4. Comb., as crate-maker.
1725. Lond. Gaz., No. 6402/4. Ralph Edwards … Cratemaker.
1871. Daily News, 4 Sept., 7/1. The cratemakers in the Staffordshire Potteries are agitating for an increase of wages.
