"vehicle" - meanings, definitions, synonyms, thesaurus and antonyms

\Ve"hi*cle\, n. (Chem.)
A liquid used to spread sensitive salts upon glass and paper
for use in photography.

\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.