Cab
/kæb/noun
A cab is a vehicle for hire, typically a taxi.
Did you know?The term 'cab' is derived from 'cabriolet', a type of horse-drawn carriage, hinting at a lineage of transport that has always been about more than just getting from point A to B.
Etymological Timeline
Old French
Old French
cabriolet
“A light, two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage, originally for a single passenger.”
16th Century
Italian
cabrioletto
“Derived from 'cabrio', meaning to leap or jump, referring to the carriage's lightness.”
17th Century
English
cab
“Shortened form of 'cabriolet', referring specifically to a hired vehicle.”
19th Century
English
taxicab
“A vehicle for hire that charges based on distance traveled, merging 'taxi' with 'cab'.”
Modern English
English
cab
“Common term for a taxi, now widely recognized as a vehicle for hire.”