railroad
UK[ˈreɪlrəʊd]US[ˈreɪlroʊd]
n
a track made of steel rails along which trains run
v
to force something to be officially approved or accepted quickly without much discussion
v
to convict someone or force them into doing something unfairly or too quickly
Morpheme Breakdown
rail
road
rail
bar
road
way
Etymology
the word 'railroad' is a transparent compound formed within english. the first element, 'rail', entered english via old french from the latin regula, meaning a straight stick or rule, which evolved to signify the long, straight iron bars used as tracks. the second element, 'road', originates from the old english rād, initially meaning the act of riding, then broadening to denote any defined path for travel. the compound literally means 'a road made of rails', a logical description for a track system designed for wheeled vehicles. its modern verb senses, implying forced or hasty action, metaphorically extend from the idea of something being pushed forward as decisively and unstoppably as a train on its tracks.
Analysis
Structure: rail (bar) + road (way)
rail (from old french reille 'iron bar', from latin regula 'straight stick, rule', functional role: root denoting a long metal bar); road (from old english rād 'a riding, journey on horseback', later 'a path for traveling', functional role: root denoting a path or way for travel).
Examples
the transcontinental railroad transformed travel across america.
the committee tried to railroad the new policy through before anyone could object.
he claimed he was railroaded into a guilty plea by an overzealous prosecutor.