automotorn.
/ˈɔːtə(ʊ)məʊtə/, U.S. /ˈɔdoʊˌmoʊdər/, /ˈɑdoʊˌmoʊdər/, /ˈɔdəˌmoʊdər/, /ˈɑdəˌmoʊdər/ Now rare.
An automatic motor, esp. (in later use) one used in an automobile. Also: = automobile n.
ΘΚΠ
society > travel > means of travel > a conveyance > vehicle > powered vehicle > [noun] > motor vehicle
automotor1869
automobile1895
auto1899
MPV1987
1869 Bull. National Assoc. Wool Manufacturers 1 ii. v. 170 If we had to make by hand labor all the cotton yarn spun in England in one year by means of automotors or self-acting mules..it would require the labor of..the totality of the population of France, Austria, and Prussia united.
1874 J. Timbs Year-bk. of Facts 39 A ‘Hydraulic Automotor’ has been invented (though not yet in practical use) which..will altogether supersede the use of pumps for raising water.
1889 Telegr. Jrnl. & Electr. Rev. 18 Oct. 441/1 The automotor carriages, Rowan type, find their application in the working of branch lines of light traffic.
1895 Daily News 30 Nov. 5/1 To apply the new principle of the ‘auto-motor’ to road-waggons, heavy drags, hunting-traps, and stage-coaches.
1904 A. B. F. Young Compl. Motorist xii. 264 The Automotor Journal..concerns itself chiefly with the interests of private owners of motor-cars.
1916 E. Butler Vaporizing of Paraffin for High-speed Motors (1917) ii. 25 Soon after the practice of fitting carburettors with some compensating device for varying load and speed conditions, the running of auto-motors became..much steadier.
1937 Pop. Mech. Jan. 152/1 A portable outfit with the welding generator driven by an old auto motor.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2011; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1869