I. ˈtandəm, -aan- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Latin, at length, at last (taken to mean “lengthwise”), from tam so, so much, as (akin to Greek to that) + -dem (demonstrative suff.) — more at that
1.
a.
(1) : a 2-seated carriage drawn by horses harnessed one before the other
(2) : a team harnessed in this manner
b. : tandem bicycle
c. : tandem airplane
d. : a vehicle (as a trailer or truck) having close-coupled pairs of axles
2. : a group of two or more arranged or following one behind the other : two or more used or acting in conjunction
a more persuasive … tandem could not be found, nor two men with more sincerity — Darrell Berrigan
•
- in tandem
II. adverb
Etymology: Latin, adverb, at length
: one after or behind another
horses driven tandem
III. adjective
: consisting of two arranged one behind the other
a tandem arrangement of engine cylinders