Au`to*mo"bile (?), n. [F.]
An
automobile vehicle or mechanism; esp., a self-propelled vehicle
suitable for use on a street or roadway. Automobiles are usually
propelled by internal combustion engines (using volatile inflammable
liquids, as gasoline or petrol, alcohol, naphtha, etc.), steam
engines, or electric motors. The power of the driving motor varies
from about 4 to 50 H. P. for ordinary vehicles, ranging from the run-
about to the touring car, up to as high as 200 H. P. for specially
built racing cars. Automobiles are also commonly, and generally in
British usage, called motor cars.
© Webster 1913.