railroad

railroad
{{11}}railroad (n.) 1757, from RAIL (Cf. rail) (n.1) + ROAD (Cf. road). Originally "road laid with rails for heavy wagons (in mining)." The system itself seems to have been in use by late 17c. Application to passenger and freight trains dates from 1825, though tending to be replaced in this sense in England by railway (1812).
{{12}}railroad (v.) "to convict quickly and perhaps unjustly," 1873, Amer.Eng., from RAILROAD (Cf. railroad) (n.).
A person knowing more than might be desirable of the affairs, or perhaps the previous life of some powerful individual, high in authority, might some day ventilate his knowledge, possibly before a court of justice; but if his wisdom is railroaded to State's prison, his evidence becomes harmless. ["Wanderings of a Vagabond," New York, 1873]
Related: Railroaded; railroading.

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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  • Railroad — Rail road (r[=a]l r[=o]d ), Railway Rail way (r[=a]l w[=a] ), n. 1. A road or way consisting of one or more parallel series of iron or steel rails, patterned and adjusted to be tracks for the wheels of vehicles, and suitably supported on a bed or …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • railroad — [rāl′rōd΄] n. 1. a road laid with parallel steel rails along which cars carrying passengers or freight are drawn by locomotives 2. a complete system of such roads, including land, rolling stock, stations, etc. 3. the persons or corporation owning …   English World dictionary

  • Railroad — Rail road , v. t. To carry or send by railroad; usually fig., to send or put through at high speed or in great haste; to hurry or rush unduly; as, to railroad a bill through Condress. [Colloq., U. S.] [Webster 1913 Suppl.] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • railroad — Under Title 11 U.S.C. Section 101: (44) The term railroad means common carrier by railroad engaged in the transportation of individuals or property or owner of trackage facilities leased by such a common carrier. United Glossary of Bankruptcy… …   Glossary of Bankruptcy

  • Railroad — Railroad, PA U.S. borough in Pennsylvania Population (2000): 300 Housing Units (2000): 116 Land area (2000): 0.626665 sq. miles (1.623054 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 0.626665 sq. miles… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Railroad, PA — U.S. borough in Pennsylvania Population (2000): 300 Housing Units (2000): 116 Land area (2000): 0.626665 sq. miles (1.623054 sq. km) Water area (2000): 0.000000 sq. miles (0.000000 sq. km) Total area (2000): 0.626665 sq. miles (1.623054 sq. km)… …   StarDict's U.S. Gazetteer Places

  • Railroad — u. Railway, s. u. Rail …   Pierer's Universal-Lexikon

  • railroad — [ʀɛlʀod] n. m. ÉTYM. 1818; comme mot angl. écrit rail road, 1800, in Höfler; mot angl. (1775), de rail (→ Rail) et road « route », employé surtout aux États Unis (railway en Grande Bretagne). ❖ ♦ Américanisme. Vx. Chemin de fer (aux États Unis).… …   Encyclopédie Universelle

  • railroad — [n] train line elevated railway, line, metro, monorail, rail line, railway, streetcar line, subway, tracks, trolley line, tube, underground railway; concepts 155,503 …   New thesaurus

  • railroad — ► NOUN N. Amer. ▪ a railway. ► VERB informal 1) rush or coerce into doing something. 2) cause (a measure) to be approved quickly by applying pressure …   English terms dictionary

  • railroad — /rayl rohd /, n. 1. a permanent road laid with rails, commonly in one or more pairs of continuous lines forming a track or tracks, on which locomotives and cars are run for the transportation of passengers, freight, and mail. 2. an entire system… …   Universalium

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