from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Car \Car\, n. [OF. car, char, F. cahr, fr. L. carrus, Wagon: a
Celtic word; cf. W. car, Armor. karr, Ir. & Gael. carr. cf.
{Chariot}.]
1. A small vehicle moved on wheels; usually, one having but
two wheels and drawn by one horse; a cart.
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2. A vehicle adapted to the rails of a railroad. [U. S.]
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Note: In England a railroad passenger car is called a railway
carriage; a freight car a goods wagon; a platform car a
goods truck; a baggage car a van. But styles of car
introduced into England from America are called cars;
as, tram car. Pullman car. See {Train}.
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3. A chariot of war or of triumph; a vehicle of splendor,
dignity, or solemnity. [Poetic].
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The gilded car of day. --Milton.
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The towering car, the sable steeds. --Tennyson.
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4. (Astron.) The stars also called Charles's Wain, the Great
Bear, or the Dipper.
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The Pleiads, Hyads, and the Northern Car. --Dryden.
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5. The cage of a lift or elevator.
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6. The basket, box, or cage suspended from a balloon to
contain passengers, ballast, etc.
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7. A floating perforated box for living fish. [U. S.]
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{Car coupling}, or {Car coupler}, a shackle or other device
for connecting the cars in a railway train. [U. S.]
{Dummy car} (Railroad), a car containing its own steam power
or locomotive.
{Freight car} (Railrood), a car for the transportation of
merchandise or other goods. [U. S.]
{Hand car} (Railroad), a small car propelled by hand, used by
railroad laborers, etc. [U. S.]
{Horse car}, or {Street car}, an omnibus car, draw by horses
or other power upon rails laid in the streets. [U. S.]
{Palace car}, {Drawing-room car}, {Sleeping car}, {Parlor
car}, etc. (Railroad), cars especially designed and furnished
for the comfort of travelers.
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