rare. [in F. cornac, Pg. cornáca, supposed to be of Indian origin, but not now found in any Indian vernacular. (Dr. Rost, quoted in Yule, suggests Singhalese kūrawa elephant-stud + nāyaka leader; others propose, for the first part, Skr. karī elephant.)] The driver of an elephant, a mahout.
1704. Collect. Voy. (Churchill), III. 825/2. Old Elephants … oftentimes kill their Carnak or Guides.
1727. A. Hamilton, New Acc. E. Ind., II. xli. 110. Going to the River to be washed, with his Carnack, or Rider on his Back.
a. 1832. in Lyell, Princ. Geol., xxxv. II. 43. The elephant only allows himself to be led by the carnac whom he has adopted.
1884. C. Bock, Temples & Eleph., 22. The carnac, or driver, was quite unable to control the beast.
