\Car\, n. [OF. car, char, F. cahr, fr. L. carrus, Wagon: a
Celtic word; cf. W. car, Armor. karr, Ir. & Gael. carr. cf.
{Chariot}.]
1. A small vehicle moved on wheels; usually, one having but
   two wheels and drawn by one horse; a cart.
2. A vehicle adapted to the rails of a railroad. [U. S.]
Note: In England a railroad passenger car is called a railway
      carriage; a freight car a goods wagon; a platform car a
      goods truck; a baggage car a van. But styles of car
      introduced into England from America are called cars;
      as, tram car. Pullman car. See {Train}.
3. A chariot of war or of triumph; a vehicle of splendor,
   dignity, or solemnity. [Poetic].
         The gilded car of day.                --Milton.
         The towering car, the sable steeds.   --Tennyson.
4. (Astron.) The stars also called Charles's Wain, the Great
   Bear, or the Dipper.
         The Pleiads, Hyads, and the Northern Car. --Dryden.
5. The cage of a lift or elevator.
6. The basket, box, or cage suspended from a balloon to
   contain passengers, ballast, etc.
7. A floating perforated box for living fish. [U. S.]
{Car coupling}, or {Car coupler}, a shackle or other device
   for connecting the cars in a railway train. [U. S.]
{Dummy car} (Railroad), a car containing its own steam power
   or locomotive.
{Freight car} (Railrood), a car for the transportation of
   merchandise or other goods. [U. S.]
{Hand car} (Railroad), a small car propelled by hand, used by
   railroad laborers, etc. [U. S.]
{Horse car}, or {Street car}, an omnibus car, draw by horses
   or other power upon rails laid in the streets. [U. S.]
{Palace car}, {Drawing-room car}, {Sleeping car}, {Parlor
car}, etc. (Railroad), cars especially designed and furnished
   for the comfort of travelers.