locomotive: [17] Locomotive denotes etymologically ‘moving by change of place’. It is an anglicization of modern Latin locōmōtīvus, a compound formed from locus ‘place’ and mōtīvus ‘causing to move’ (source of English motive). Originally it was used strictly as an adjective, and it was not until the early 19th century that the present-day noun use (which began life as an abbreviation of locomotive engine) emerged.
locomotive (adj.)
1610s, "pertaining to movement," from French locomotif, from Latin loco "from a place" (ablative of locus "place;" see locus) + Late Latin motivus "moving" (see motive). The noun meaning "railroad engine" is from 1829, short for locomotive engine (1814).
实用例句
1. The Locomotive Construction Company Ltd is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Trust.
机车建筑有限公司是该托拉斯的全资子公司。
来自柯林斯例句
2. He was killed by an onrushing locomotive.
他被飞驰而来的火车头撞死了。
来自柯林斯例句
3. A group of enthusiasts have undertaken the reconstruction of a steam locomotive.
一群火车迷已担负起重造蒸汽机车的任务.
来自《简明英汉词典》
4. At the conductor's whistle the engine - driver starts his locomotive - engine.