taximeter

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a device in a taxi that calculates and displays the fare according to distance traveled and waiting time

   The driver switched on the taximeter as soon as the passenger entered the cab.

Borrowed from French taximetre, based on German Taxameter, combining Medieval Latin taxa, 'charge or assessment,' with -meter, 'measuring device.' Taxicab was later shortened from taximeter cabriolet, and taxi became the everyday vehicle name.

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