| caret (^) |
| Definition:
The name for the ^ symbol.
It is used as a proofreading mark to indicate the place where either a punctuation mark or some text should be inserted in a document.
Note: You put it below the text line for line-level punctuation marks (e.g., the period) and above the text line for raised marks (e.g., the apostrophe). |
| Etymology: The word means "it lacks" in Latin. |
| Oxford English Dictionary: Its first citation is from 1710: "That which is called Caret (that is to say in English, it is wanting) markt with a Latine Circumflex, thus (^) which is to shew where a Word forgotten … and placed above the Line, is to come in." (W. Mather Young Man's Companion (1727) 38) |