Cabriolet
/ˌkæbriəˈleɪ/noun
A light, usually two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage, later a type of convertible automobile.
Did you know?Cabriolet comes from French cabriolet, a diminutive of cabriole, a lively leap or caper, ultimately tied to a word for a goat—so its name literally carries the image of a goat-like jump.
Etymological Timeline
16th Century
French
cabriole
“a caper, leap, or playful jump”
17th Century
French
cabriolet
“a light carriage that seems to bounce or spring along”
18th Century
English
cabriolet
“a light, two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage”
20th Century
English
cabriolet
“an automobile with a folding or removable roof”
Explore more surprising origins