vehicle

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

1. n. A device or structure for transporting persons or things; a conveyance: a space vehicle.
2. n. A self-propelled conveyance that runs on tires; a motor vehicle.
3. n. A medium through which something is transmitted, expressed, or accomplished: His novels are a vehicle for his political views.
4. n. The concrete or specific word or phrase that is applied to the tenor of a metaphor and gives the metaphor its figurative power, as walking shadow in "Life's but a walking shadow” ( Shakespeare).
5. n. A play, role, or piece of music used to display the special talents of one performer or company.
6. n. A substance of no therapeutic value used to convey an active medicine for administration.
7. n. A substance, such as oil, in which paint pigments are mixed for application.

Century Dictionary and Cyclopedia

1. n. In chem., a liquid used to carry sensitive salts for coating glass or paper for use in photography.
2. n. Any carriage moving on land, either on wheels or on runners; a conveyance.
3. n. That which is used as an instrument of conveyance, transmission, or communication.
4. n. Specifically— In pharmacy, a substance, usually fluid, possessing little or no medicinal action, used as a medium for the administration of active remedies; an excipient.
5. n. In painting, any liquid, whether water, as in water-color painting, or oil, as in oil-color painting, which is used to render colors, varnishes, etc., manageable and fit for use.
6. n. One of two enduements, the one more spiritual than the other, with which the soul is clothed, according to the Platonists. One corresponds to vital power, the other to spirit.
7. To convey in or apply or impart by means of a vehicle.

Wiktionary

1. n. A conveyance; a device for carrying or transporting substances, objects or individuals.
2. n. A medium for expression of talent or views.
3. n. A liquid content (e.g. oil) which acts as a binding and drying agent in paint. (FM 55-501).
4. n. An entity to achieve an end.
5. n. Buddhism A yana.
6. n. Hinduism An animal or (rarely) a plant on which a Hindu deity rides or sits

GNU Webster's 1913

1. n. 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. n. That which is used as the instrument of conveyance or communication.
3. n. (Pharm.) A substance in which medicine is taken.
4. n. (Paint.) Any liquid with which a pigment is applied, including whatever gum, wax, or glutinous or adhesive substance is combined with it.
5. n. (Chem.) A liquid used to spread sensitive salts upon glass and paper for use in photography.

WordNet 3.0

1. n. a conveyance that transports people or objects
2. n. any substance that facilitates the use of a drug or pigment or other material that is mixed with it
3. n. a medium for the expression or achievement of something
4. n. any inanimate object (as a towel or money or clothing or dishes or books or toys etc.) that can transmit infectious agents from one person to another