Homonym: Caret (Symbol)
A caret is a typographical symbol that looks like an upward-pointing arrow (^) and is used primarily in writing and editing. It indicates where something should be inserted in a text, such as a letter, word, or punctuation mark. The term "caret" comes from the Latin word "carere," meaning "to lack," which reflects its function of showing where something is missing.
In computing, the caret is also known as the "insertion point" or "cursor." It visually represents the current position in a text field where the next character will be entered. This symbol is commonly used in word processing software and programming environments, helping users edit and format their documents efficiently.