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Glite Dictionary
diesel-hydraulic locomotive

diesel-hydraulic locomotive

7.7
A train engine that uses a diesel motor and fluid pressure to drive the wheels
  • noun
  • /ˈdiːzəl haɪˈdrɔːlɪk ˌloʊkəˈmoʊtɪv/
  • Specialized
translation icon : locomotora diésel-hidráulica
  • The new diesel-hydraulic locomotive is more efficient than older models.

Examples

  • The diesel-hydraulic locomotive was introduced to improve rail efficiency on non-electrified routes.

  • A German manufacturer exported several diesel-hydraulic locomotives in the 1960s.

  • Engineers prefer a diesel-hydraulic locomotive for routes requiring frequent starts and stops.

  • Have you seen the latest diesel-hydraulic locomotives in action?

  • The train station displayed a rare diesel-hydraulic locomotive that fascinated visitors with its unique design.

  • The diesel-hydraulic locomotive efficiently pulled multiple cars up the steep incline without losing speed.

  • During the tour, the engineer explained how a diesel-hydraulic locomotive uses a diesel engine to power its hydraulic systems.

Synonyms

diesel locomotive
vsdiesel-hydraulic locomotive
  • Specialized
1 4.1

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

is limited to those using hydraulic transmission rather than other power systems
diesel-hydraulic
vsdiesel-hydraulic locomotive
  • Specialized
7.7

A train engine that uses a diesel engine and a hydraulic system to send power to the wheels

is the full phrase that explicitly adds the vehicle noun
locomotive engine
vsdiesel-hydraulic locomotive
3.6

A machine on train tracks that pulls or pushes trains

is specific to diesel engines with hydraulic transmission rather than any propulsion type

Surface Forms

diesel-hydraulic locomotive singular
diesel-hydraulic locomotives plural

Morphology

diesel-hydraulic + locomotive

The phrase is a straightforward compositional noun phrase: 'diesel-hydraulic' specifies the type of power/transmission (diesel engine + hydraulic transmission) and modifies 'locomotive', so the overall meaning is directly derivable from its parts. This vehicle-type naming pattern is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words would be able to infer the meaning.

Etymology

Diesel-hydraulic locomotive names a train engine that uses a diesel motor and a hydraulic system where moving fluid turns the wheels. So the name literally means it is 'powered by diesel' and 'uses fluid power' to make the train move, not electricity.