locomotive

EnglishEdit

 
A steam locomotive.

EtymologyEdit

From French locomotif, from Latin locō (literally from a place) (ablative of locus (place)) + Vulgar Latin mōtivus (moving) (see motive).

In the rail transport sense ellipsis of locomotive (steam) engine, attested from 1814.[1]

PronunciationEdit

NounEdit

locomotive (plural locomotives)

  1. (rail transport) The power unit of a train that pulls the coaches or wagons.
    Hypernym: rolling stock
  2. (rare) A traction engine.
  3. (slang) A cheer characterized by a slow beginning and a progressive increase in speed.
  4. (archaic) Any of various early road vehicles, steam-powered, etc., forerunners of the modern car.
  5. (economics) A country which drives the world economy by having a high level of imports, such as the United States.

Usage notesEdit

Sometimes erroneously used as a synonym for train.

SynonymsEdit

Derived termsEdit

TranslationsEdit

AdjectiveEdit

locomotive (comparative more locomotive, superlative most locomotive)

  1. Of or relating to locomotion.
  2. Of or relating to the power unit of a train which does not carry passengers or freight itself.

TranslationsEdit

ReferencesEdit

  1. ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2023), “locomotive”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.

FrenchEdit

PronunciationEdit

AdjectiveEdit

locomotive

  1. feminine singular of locomotif

NounEdit

locomotive f (plural locomotives)

  1. locomotive

Derived termsEdit

Further readingEdit

ItalianEdit

NounEdit

locomotive f

  1. plural of locomotiva