Word: road Part of Speech: noun Etymology: From Middle English rode, rade (“ride, journey”), from Old English rād (“riding, hostile incursion”), from Proto-West Germanic *raidu, from Proto-Germanic *raidō (“a ride”), from Proto-Indo-European *reydʰ- (“to ride”). Doublet of raid, acquired from Scots. Cognates include West Frisian reed (paved trail/road, driveway). The current primary meaning of "street, way for traveling" originated relatively late — Shakespeare seemed to expect his audiences to find it unfamiliar — and probably arose through reinterpretation of roadway (“a way for riding on”) as saying way twice, in other words as a tautological compound. Pronunciation: /ɾoːɖ/, /rod/, /ɹod/, /ɹəʊd/, /ɹoʊd/ 1. A way used for travelling between places, originally one wide enough to allow foot passengers and horses to travel, now (US) usually one surfaced with asphalt or concrete and designed to accommodate many vehicles travelling in both directions. In the UK both senses are heard: a country road is the same as a country lane. Example: In the lightness of my heart I sang catches of songs as my horse gayly bore me along the well-remembered road. Example: I stumbled along through the young pines and huckleberry bushes. Pretty soon I struck into a sort of path that, I cal'lated, might lead to the road I was hunting for. 2. Roads in general as a means of travel, especially by motor vehicle. Labels: uncountable Example: We travelled to the seaside by road. 3. A physical way or route. Labels: dated Example: He stirred up his hair with his sprightliest expression, glanced at the little figure again, said ‘Good evening, ma ‘am; don’t come down, Mrs Affery, I know the road to the door,’ and steamed out. Example: Hetty and Mrs. Piper watched them with a lynx-eyed understanding and before the ancient was well upon his road his way was blocked by Hetty. 4. A path chosen, as in life or career. Labels: figuratively Example: the road to happiness; the road to success. Example: Where, then, is the road to peace? 5. An underground tunnel in a mine. 6. A railroad. Labels: US, archaic Example: [in 1846 or 1847, Davis K. Carter said,] ["]I have come to deal in practical matters, and to serve notice on you, gentlemen, that we out west, comprising the backbone, not only of Ohio but of the western continent, mean business. A road is to be built from this city [Pittsburgh], through Massillon to Chicago, and in its construction you must either fish or cut bait; now take your choice.["] The Pennsylvania and Ohio railroad was finally begun through the activities of business men from Pennsylvania and Ohio, who attended a great meeting held at Massillon in November, 1847. It was completed as far as Massillon, in 1853. 7. A single railroad track (railway track). Labels: UK, US Example: The new depot, on which work started in May, 1956, has three reception roads leading to 13 sidings capable of taking 25 trains, a 450 ft.-long car examination shed with nine roads, a lifting shop with two roads and three permanent way sidings. 8. The act of riding on horseback. Labels: obsolete 9. A hostile ride against a particular area; a raid. Labels: obsolete 10. A partly sheltered area of water near a shore in which vessels may ride at anchor; a roadstead. Labels: plural-normally Example: Antonio: Sweet lady, you have given me life and living; / For here I read for certain that my ships / Are safely come to road. Example: There delivering their fraught, they went to Scandaroone; rather to view what ships was in the Roade, than any thing else […]. 11. A journey, or stage of a journey. Labels: obsolete Example: At last, with easy roads, he came to Leicester; / Lodg'd in the abbey, where the reverend abbot, / With all his convent, honourably receiv'd him; […] 12. A hard, flat pitch, typically favourable for batters.