Vehicle \Ve"hi*cle\, n. [L. vehiculum, fr. vehere to carry; akin
to E. way, wain. See Way, n., and cf. Convex, Inveigh,
Veil, Vex.]
1. That in or on which any person or thing is, or may be,
carried, as a coach, carriage, wagon, cart, car, sleigh,
bicycle, etc.; a means of conveyance; specifically, a
means of conveyance upon land.
2. That which is used as the instrument of conveyance or
communication; as, matter is the vehicle of energy.
A simple style forms the best vehicle of thought to
a popular assembly. --Wirt.
3. (Pharm.) A substance in which medicine is taken.
4. (Paint.) Any liquid with which a pigment is applied,
including whatever gum, wax, or glutinous or adhesive
substance is combined with it.
Note: Water is used in fresco and in water-color painting,
the colors being consolidated with gum arabic; size is
used in distemper painting. In oil painting, the fixed
oils of linseed, nut, and poppy, are used; in
encaustic, wax is the vehicle. --Fairholt.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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