locomotive
EnglishEdit
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
- (Gen) IPA(key): /ˌloʊkəˈmoʊtiv/
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˌləʊkəʊˈməʊtiv/
Audio (US) (file)
NounEdit
locomotive (plural locomotives)
- (rail transport) The power unit of a train that pulls the coaches or wagons.
- Hypernym: rolling stock
- (rare) A traction engine.
- (slang) A cheer characterized by a slow beginning and a progressive increase in speed.
- (archaic) Any of various early road vehicles, steam-powered, etc., forerunners of the modern car.
- (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
self-propelled vehicle that runs on rails
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AdjectiveEdit
locomotive (comparative more locomotive, superlative most locomotive)
- Of or relating to locomotion.
- Of or relating to the power unit of a train which does not carry passengers or freight itself.
TranslationsEdit
relating to locomotion
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ReferencesEdit
- ^ Douglas Harper (2001–2023), “locomotive”, in Online Etymology Dictionary.
FrenchEdit
PronunciationEdit
AdjectiveEdit
locomotive
NounEdit
locomotive f (plural locomotives)
Derived termsEdit
Further readingEdit
- “locomotive”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.
ItalianEdit
NounEdit
locomotive f
- plural of locomotiva