'To set the cart before the horse' definitions:

Definition of 'To set the cart before the horse'

From: GCIDE

Cart \Cart\ (k[aum]rt), n. [AS. cr[ae]t; cf. W. cart, Ir. & Gael. cairt, or Icel. kartr. Cf. Car.]
1. A common name for various kinds of vehicles, as a Scythian dwelling on wheels, or a chariot. "Ph[oe]bus' cart." --Shak. [1913 Webster]
2. A two-wheeled vehicle for the ordinary purposes of husbandry, or for transporting bulky and heavy articles. [1913 Webster]
Packing all his goods in one poor cart. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
3. A light business wagon used by bakers, grocerymen, butchers, etc. [1913 Webster]
4. An open two-wheeled pleasure carriage. [1913 Webster]
Cart horse, a horse which draws a cart; a horse bred or used for drawing heavy loads; -- also spelled carthorse.
Cart rope, a stout rope for fastening a load on a cart; any strong rope.
To put the cart before the horse, {To get the cart before the horse}, or To set the cart before the horse, to invert the order of related facts or ideas, as by putting an effect for a cause; to do things in an improper order. [1913 Webster +PJC]