express elevator
3
3.7
- noun
- /ɪkˈsprɛs ˈɛləˌveɪtər/
- US
:
ascensor exprés
- The building has an express elevator that goes directly to the penthouse level.
- take the express elevator
Examples
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We took the express elevator to the top floor without stopping on the way.
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- Closing down express elevators for one week would be a financial disaster.
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I get to ride the express elevator, too.
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We're taking the express elevator to the roof.
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Express elevator is coming down.
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The suspect was found in one of the express elevators.
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- These express elevators carry over 30.000 people a day.
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Express elevator to the penthouse suite.
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The 3 express elevators have been closed down since this morning leaving hundreds of tourists stranded outside building.
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What is required for practical people transport is a super-fast, one-way, non-stop express elevator from the lobby right to the top floor.
Blog text (8)
How Direct
- US
3
3.7
- US
760
1.0
Surface Forms
Morphology
The compound is directly compositional: 'express' (operating with few stops) modifies 'elevator' (a lift), so the phrase straightforwardly denotes an elevator that travels to certain floors without stopping at intermediate ones. This modifier+noun pattern is common cross-linguistically and follows normal English composition, so a B1 learner who knows both words will readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
Express elevator combines express and elevator: imagine an elevator that works like an 'express train' and skips many floors to reach the higher floors quickly. That's why it means an elevator that goes directly to certain higher floors without stopping at every floor.