locomotive

Etymology

From French locomotive, from Latin locō (literally “from a place”) (ablative of locus (“place”)) + Vulgar Latin mōtivus (“moving”) (see motive).

Pronunciation

• (Gen) IPA^(key): /ˌloʊkəˈmoʊtiv/
• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˌləʊkəʊˈməʊtiv/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

locomotive (plural locomotives)

1. (rail transport) The power unit of a train that pulls the coaches or wagons.
2. (rare) A traction engine
3. (slang) A cheer characterized by a slow beginning and a progressive increase in speed
4. (economics) A country which drives the world economy by having a high level of imports. (i.e. The United States).

Adjective

locomotive (comparative more locomotive, superlative most locomotive)

1. of or relating to locomotion
2. of or relating to the power unit of a train which does not carry passengers or freight itself

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /lɔ.kɔ.mɔ.tiv/

• Audio

  (file)

• Audio (Paris)

  (file)

• Homophone: locomotives

Adjective

locomotive

1. feminine singular of locomotif

Noun

locomotive f (plural locomotives)

1. locomotive

Further reading

• “locomotive” in le Trésor de la langue française informatisé (The Digitized Treasury of the French Language).

Noun

locomotive f

1. plural of locomotiva