taxi

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   travel slowly

   The plane taxied down the runway

2. 2
   noun

   A vehicle that may be hired for single journeys by members of the public, particularly one with an automated meter to calculate the fare.

   "Taxi," he called. And when one pulled up to the curb with screeching brakes he ordered, "The nearest restaurant."

3. 3
   noun

   An aircraft used for practicing ground manoeuvres.

   Capt. Dawes and Bellairs were out with the Deperdussin taxi, and also with the brevet machine, rolling.

4. 4
   noun

   The movement of an aircraft across an airport's surface under its own power; a phase of aircraft operation involving this movement.

   During taxi, the flaps and slats are extended and the second engine (if not already running) is started.

5. 5
   verb

   To move an aircraft on the ground under its own power.

   taxi down the runway

6. 6
   verb

   To travel by taxicab.

   [H]e had taxied to the waterfront bent upon a business in which nostalgia had no part[.]

7. 7
   noun

   a car driven by a person whose job is to take passengers where they want to go in exchange for money

8. 8
   verb

   ride in a taxicab

Etymology

Shortened from taximeter cab, taximeter (“automatic meter that records distance and fare”) from French taximètre, from German Taxameter (whence also English taxameter), coined from Medieval Latin taxa (“tax, charge”). More at tax, task. The aviation sense originally derived from a slang term for training aircraft used for practicing ground operations, which were said to drive around the airfield like a taxicab, and subsequently applied to all aircraft ground movements.