Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Car
Car
,Noun.
[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.
2.
A vehicle adapted to the rails of a railroad.
[U. S.]
☞ 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
. 3.
A chariot of war or of triumph; a vehicle of splendor, dignity, or solemnity.
[Poetic]
.The gilded
car
of day. Milton.
The towering
car
, the sable steeds. Tennyson.
4.
(Astron.)
The stars also called Charles’s Wain, the Great Bear, or the Dipper.
The Pleiads, Hyads, and the Northern
Car
. Dryden.
5.
The cage of a lift or elevator.
6.
The basket, box, or cage suspended from a balloon to contain passengers, ballast, etc.
7.
A floating perforated box for living fish.
[U. S.]
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.