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Glite Dictionary
shunter

shunter

9.3
A small train engine that moves cars short distances in a rail yard
  • noun
  • /ˈʃʌntər/
  • Jargon
translation icon : locomotora de maniobras
  • After the train arrived, the shunter was used to rearrange the cars for unloading.

Examples

  • The shunter moved quickly between the empty freight cars in the rail yard.

  • The shunter efficiently repositioned the train cars to prepare for the next journey.

  • The shunters are creeping under the wagons.

    Fiction book (2002)

Synonyms

locomotive
vsshunter
37 4.6

A train engine that pulls rail cars

is smaller and used mainly for short moves inside yards not long trips
steam locomotive
vsshunter
3 3.2

A train engine that uses steam made by heating water to move

is distinguished by short distance yard work rather than its steam power type
diesel locomotive
vsshunter
  • Specialized
1 4.1

A railway engine that runs on diesel fuel rather than steam or electricity

is defined by its small yard moving role rather than by its power source
switch engine
vsshunter
  • Specialized
6.6

A small vehicle that moves train cars inside a rail yard

is a small version used specifically for short yard moves rather than long trips
locomotive engine
vsshunter
3.6

A machine on train tracks that pulls or pushes trains

focuses instead on short, local car movements rather than powering long trains
railway locomotive
vsshunter
  • UK
4.4

A large machine on wheels that pulls a train on tracks

is narrower, used for short car moves within yards rather than line haul

How Powerful

locomotive
37 4.6
shunter
  • Jargon
9.3
dinkey
  • Archaic
9.9
handcar
  • Archaic
8.6

Surface Forms

shunter singular
shunters plural

Morphology

shunter = shunt (transparent) = shunt + er

Formed by the verb 'shunt' + the agentive suffix '-er', yielding 'one that shunts' (locomotive or person), a straightforward derivation.

Etymology

Shunter comes from the verb shunt, which means 'to push or move to the side'. So a shunter is the small engine that pushes and sorts train cars around a rail yard, moving them short distances rather than travelling long trips.