locomotive

Etymology

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.

noun

  1. (rail transport) The power unit of a train that pulls the coaches or wagons.
  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.

adj

  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.
  3. Moving, or capable of motion.
    Pindar seems to imply that these figures were actually locomotive automata. 1879, F. D. Morice, Pindar, chapter 8, page 133

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