train

I. noun Etymology: Middle English traine treachery, from Anglo-French, from trahir to betray, from Latin tradere — more at traitor Date: 14th century obsolete scheme, trick II. noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from trainer to draw, drag Date: 14th century 1. a part of a gown that trails behind the wearer 2. a. retinue, suite b. a moving file of persons, vehicles, or animals 3. the vehicles, personnel, and sometimes animals that furnish supply, maintenance, and evacuation services to a combat unit 4. a. order of occurrence leading to some result — often used in the phrase in train <

this humiliating process had been in train for decades — Paul Fussell

> b. an orderly succession <

a train of thought

> c. accompanying or resultant circumstances ; aftermath <

consequences the discovery will bring in its train

> 5. a line of combustible material laid to lead fire to a charge 6. a series of moving mechanical parts (as gears) that transmit and modify motion <

a gear train

> 7. a. a connected line of railroad cars with or without a locomotive b. an automotive tractor with one or more trailer units 8. a series of parts or elements that together constitute a system for producing a result and especially for carrying on a process (as of manufacture) automatically • trainful noun III. verb Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French trainer, from Vulgar Latin *traginare; akin to Latin trahere to draw Date: 15th century transitive verb 1. trail, drag 2. to direct the growth of (a plant) usually by bending, pruning, and tying 3. a. to form by instruction, discipline, or drill b. to teach so as to make fit, qualified, or proficient 4. to make prepared (as by exercise) for a test of skill 5. to aim at an object or objective ; direct <

trained his camera on the deer

> <

training every effort toward success

> intransitive verb 1. to undergo instruction, discipline, or drill 2. to go by train Synonyms: see teach • trainability noun • trainable adjective