locomotive

(-mōt′iv)

adjective

Origin: < loco- + LL motivus, moving

noun

an engine that can move about by its own power; esp., an electric, steam, or diesel engine on wheels, designed to push or pull a railroad train

See locomotive in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A self-propelled vehicle, usually electric or diesel-powered, for pulling or pushing freight or passenger cars on railroad tracks.
A driving or pulling force; an impetus: “The US could no longer serve as the locomotive for the world economy” (George Soros).

adjective

a. Of, relating to, or involved in locomotion.
b. Serving to put into motion or propel forward: “It may be that the founding fathers overestimated the locomotive force of the collective and mutual self-interest” (Ian Davidson).
Able to move independently from place to place.
Of or relating to a self-propelled locomotive.
Of or relating to travel.

Origin:

Origin: Latin locō, from a place

Origin: , ablative of locus, place

Origin: + Medieval Latin mōtīvus, causing motion; see motive

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