Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
fluid drive

fluid drive

7.8
A device that uses fluid to connect an engine to the drive shaft smoothly
  • noun
  • /ˈfluːɪd draɪv/
  • Archaic
translation icon : transmisión hidráulica
  • The car's fluid drive allows for a smoother ride by seamlessly transmitting power from the engine to the wheels.

Examples

  • Like all cars at the time, it had a manual transmission, but it was of an advanced kind called fluid drive, I think, and it didn't require so much clutch work.

    Academic text (1990)

  • A contemporary reader will see this as a kind of fluid drive used in automatic automobile transmissions.

    Academic text (1997)

  • Powered by ocean and/or large river currents, the turbine has an internal fluid drive that can provide multi-megawatts of affordable, pollution-free power.

    Blog text (5)

  • Interestingly, when a smooth rotary motion was needed, a sort of crude fluid drive was invented by having the reciprocating pumps deliver water to a reservoir, which then served a water wheel.

    Academic text (2003)

  • Many modern automatic vehicles are equipped with a fluid drive that enhances performance and efficiency.

  • In this model, the fluid drive is essential for ensuring that the engine operates smoothly with minimal gear shifting.

Synonyms

fluid flywheel
vsfluid drive
  • Archaic
8.4

A device that uses fluid to send engine power to the transmission smoothly

is a general device that links engine and shaft using fluid smoothly
hydraulic transmission system
vsfluid drive
  • Specialized
5.9

A system that uses liquid under pressure to move parts of a machine

is a specific coupling device rather than a whole pressurized power system
hydraulic transmission
vsfluid drive
  • Specialized
6.3

A system that uses liquid under pressure to send power in machines like tractors

focuses on a single coupling device not the broader fluid power system

Surface Forms

fluid drive singular
fluid drives plural

Morphology

fluid + drive

The noun phrase denotes a type of drive that uses a fluid to transmit power, which is directly compositional from 'fluid' (a substance that flows) + 'drive' (a device that transmits mechanical power). This straightforward noun-noun compounding follows common cross-linguistic patterns, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would likely infer the meaning.

Etymology

Fluid drive comes from the literal idea of placing a fluid (a liquid) between the engine and the wheels so power passes through the liquid to move the drive. Because the liquid lets power flow smoothly instead of in hard hits, the name now means a device that gives a 'smoother ride' and causes less wear.