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