n. 1. A self-propelled vehicle, usually electric, diesel, or steam-powered, for pulling or pushing freight or passenger cars on railroad tracks. 2. A driving or pulling force; an impetus: "The US could no longer serve as the locomotive for the world economy" (George Soros). adj. 1. 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). 2. Able to move independently from place to place. 3. Of or relating to a self-propelled locomotive. 4. Of or relating to travel. [Latin locō, from a place, ablative of locus, place + Medieval Latin mōtīvus, causing motion; see MOTIVE.] |
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