armored-car
UK[ˈɑːməd kɑː]US[ˈɑːrmərd kɑːr]
n
A vehicle, typically a truck or van, that is protected by strong metal plates and used for transporting valuable goods or money.
n
A military vehicle with armor and often mounted weapons, such as a machine gun.
Morpheme Breakdown
armored
car
armored
fitted with armor.
car
Etymology
The term is a modern compound noun formed from two words with deep historical roots. "Armor" traces back to the Latin armatura, meaning equipment or protection for soldiers, evolving through Old French to signify defensive metal covering. "Car" originates from the Latin carrus, a wheeled wagon used for transport. The compound "armored-car" logically combines these concepts: a "car" or vehicle that is "armored" or fitted with protective plating. Its specific application emerged in the early 20th century, first describing military reconnaissance vehicles and later specialized commercial vehicles for secure transport, directly linking the ancient ideas of protective gear and wheeled conveyance to modern security and warfare technology.
Analysis
Structure: armored + car
- armored: From English 'armor' (defensive covering, from Old French armeure, ultimately from Latin armatura "equipment, armor") + the suffix '-ed' (having the characteristics of). In this compound, it functions as an adjective meaning "fitted with armor."
- car: From Middle English carre, from Anglo-Norman carre, ultimately from Latin carrum/carrus "wheeled vehicle." It functions as the noun denoting the vehicle.
Examples
The cash was transported in a heavily guarded armored-car.
The rebels attacked the convoy, disabling the lead armored-car.
He worked as a driver for an armored-car service.