locomotive

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

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