LOCOMOTIVE


Meaning of LOCOMOTIVE in English

I. |lōkə|mōd.]iv, -mōt], ]ēv also ]əv; by railroad men sometimes |lək- adjective

Etymology: French, from Middle French, from loco- + Late Latin motivus moving, capable of moving — more at motive

1.

a. : of or relating to locomotion

the locomotive faculty typical of animal life

b. : having the ability to move independently from place to place

a locomotive mollusk

c. : functioning in locomotion : locomotor

locomotive organs include flagella, cilia, pseudopodia, and limbs

2.

a. : of or relating to travel

a positive locomotive mania

b. : traveling much or frequently

having lately led a very locomotive existence

3. : of, relating to, or being a machine (as an engine) that moves about by operation of its own mechanism

a locomotive crane

• lo·co·mo·tive·ly ]ə̇vlē, -li adverb

• lo·co·mo·tive·ness ]ivnə̇s, ]ēv- also ]əv- noun -es

II. noun

1.

a. archaic Britain : locomobile

b. : a self-propelled vehicle or combination of self-propelled vehicles operating under a single control, running on rails, utilizing any of several forms of energy for producing motion, and used for moving railroad cars — compare diesel-electric locomotive , electric locomotive , steam locomotive , turbine-electric locomotive , turbine locomotive

2. : a cheer characterized by a slow beginning and a progressive increase in speed and used especially at school and college sports events

Webster's New International English Dictionary.      Новый международный словарь английского языка Webster.