locomotive

Pronunciation: /ˌloʊkəˈmoʊtɪv/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C1 — Advanced

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a wheeled vehicle consisting of a self-propelled engine that is used to draw trains along railway tracks
  2. adjective of or relating to locomotion

Etymology

From French locomotif, from Latin locō (literally “from a place”) (ablative of locus (“place”)) + Vulgar Latin mōtivus (“moving”) (see motive). In the rail transport sense, ellipsis of locomotive (steam) engine, attested from 1814.

In classic literature

Synonyms

engine, locomotive engine, railway locomotive

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
self-propelled vehicle
Narrower (hyponyms)
choo-choo, electric locomotive, switch engine, iron horse, dinky, shunter

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