motor-car

A family travels in their motor-car along a scenic road.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A self-propelled road vehicle: "motor-car" refers to a four-wheeled vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine or electric motor, designed for carrying passengers on roads. It is an older term for what is now commonly called a "car" or "automobile."
   • Historical usage: In early 20th-century contexts, "motor-car" distinguished mechanically powered vehicles from horse-drawn carriages.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The invention of the motor-car revolutionised personal transportation in the early 1900s. (A self-propelled vehicle changed how people travel.)
  • He parked his motor-car in the garage to protect it from the rain. (He placed his vehicle in a sheltered storage area.)

Advanced Usage

• "Motor-car accident": a collision involving a motor-car.
  • The police reported a motor-car accident on the highway. (A crash between vehicles occurred.)
• "Motor-car industry": the business sector that manufactures motor-cars.
  • The motor-car industry grew rapidly after Henry Ford introduced assembly-line production. (The car-making business expanded.)

Variants and Related Words

• Motor (n): a machine that produces motion or power, especially an engine.
  • The motor in the motor-car needs regular maintenance. (The engine requires care.)
• Car (n): a shortened form of "motor-car," now the standard term for a passenger vehicle.
  • She drives a small car to work every day. (A passenger vehicle for daily use.)

Synonyms

• Automobile: a formal term for a motor-car.
  • The automobile is a common mode of transport in urban areas. (The motor-car is widely used.)
• Vehicle: a general term for any means of transport on land, especially with wheels.
  • His vehicle broke down on the way to the city. (His motor-car stopped working.)

Related Idioms

• Motor-car fever: a historical phrase describing widespread enthusiasm for early automobiles.
  • In the 1920s, motor-car fever swept across the country. (People were excited about owning cars.)
• Put the motor-car before the horse: a variation of "put the cart before the horse," meaning to do things in the wrong order.
  • Buying a motor-car before learning to drive is like putting the motor-car before the horse. (Prioritising incorrectly.)