n. Slang An automobile that has been rebuilt or modified to increase its speed and acceleration. [Possibly in reference to the modified camshaft of such automobiles, or to the rods connecting the pistons to the crankshaft (whose bearings frequently failed in early automobiles modified for speed), or possibly from shortening and alteration of ROADSTER (all perhaps influenced by earlier hot rod, gangster who carries a gun).] hot-rod′ v. hot rodder, hot-rod′der n. |
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