locomotive

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The power unit of a train that pulls the coaches or wagons.

   As on all other British Railways standard locomotives to date, the lubrication of motion pins and reversing gear is by grease nipple and gun.

2. 2
   adj

   Moving, or capable of motion.

   Pindar seems to imply that these figures were actually locomotive automata.

3. 3
   adj

   of or relating to locomotion

4. 4
   noun

   a wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks

5. 5
   noun

   A traction engine.

6. 6
   noun

   A cheer characterized by a slow beginning and a progressive increase in speed.

7. 7
   noun

   Any of various early road vehicles, steam-powered, etc., forerunners of the modern car.

8. 8
   noun

   A country which drives the world economy by having a high level of imports, such as the United States.

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.