locomotive

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   The engine of a train that pulls the carriages or wagons.

   A powerful steam locomotive pulled the long line of carriages up the hill.

2. 2
   adj

   Relating to movement from one place to another.

   Walking and running are forms of locomotive activity.

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.

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