third rail

third rail
noun
a rail through which electric current is supplied to an electric locomotive
• Hypernyms: ↑track, ↑rail, ↑rails, ↑runway

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noun
: a metal rail through which current is led to the motors of an electric locomotive — compare running rail

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Railroads.
1. a rail laid parallel and adjacent to the running rails of an electrified railroad to provide electric current to the motors of a car or locomotive through contact shoes.
2. an additional running rail laid on the same ties as the two regular rails of a railroad track to provide a multigauge capability.
[1865-70, Amer.]

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third rail noun
A rail carrying electricity to an electrically-powered train
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Main Entry: ↑third

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third rail,
a rail paralleling the ordinary rails of a railroad. It carries a powerful electric current and is used on some railroads instead of an overhead wire. The power is picked up by a device (shoe) that extends out from the locomotive or car and fits over the rail.
–third´-rail´, adjective.

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n. an additional rail supplying electric current, used in some electric railroad systems
■ Informal a subject, esp. Social Security, considered by politicians too dangerous to modify or discuss

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noun [singular]
1 : a metal rail on a train track that carries electric current to the train's motor
2 : a difficult issue that politicians try to avoid talking about

Social Security is the third rail of American politics.


Useful english dictionary. 2012.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Third rail — (Electric Railways) (a) The third rail used in the third rail system. (b) An electric railway using such a rail. [Colloq.] [Webster 1913 Suppl.] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • third rail — The third rail of something is dangerous to alter or change. Originally, the third rail is the one carrying the electricity for a train …   The small dictionary of idiomes

  • third´-rail´ — third rail, a rail paralleling the ordinary rails of a railroad. It carries a powerful electric current and is used on some railroads instead of an overhead wire. The power is picked up by a device (shoe) that extends out from the locomotive or… …   Useful english dictionary

  • third rail — third′ rail′ n. rai a rail in an electrified railroad that provides current to a car or locomotive • Etymology: 1865–70, amer …   From formal English to slang

  • third rail — ☆ third rail n. an extra rail used in some electric railways, instead of an overhead wire, for supplying power …   English World dictionary

  • Third rail — For other uses, see Third rail (disambiguation). Third rail at the West Falls Church Metro station near Washington, D.C., electrified at 750 volts. The third rail is at the top of the image, with a white canopy above it. The two lower rails… …   Wikipedia

  • third rail —    The third rail of something is dangerous to alter or change. Originally, the third rail is the one carrying the electricity for a train.   (Dorking School Dictionary) …   English Idioms & idiomatic expressions

  • third rail — noun a) The electrified rail that runs besides, or between train tracks to power electric trains. Social security is the third rail of American politics: touch it and your political career dies. b) anything that is dangerous to come into contact… …   Wiktionary

  • Third rail (disambiguation) — Third rail may refer to:*Third rail, an extra rail used for supplying electricity to trains *The extra rail on a dual gauge railway * Third Rail (song), a song by Squeeze *Third rail (metaphor), a political metaphor *The Third Rail, an online… …   Wikipedia

  • Third-rail system — (Electric Railways) A system in which a third rail is used for carrying the current for operating the motors, the rail being insulated from the ground and the current being taken off by means of contact brushes or other devices. [Webster 1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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