railway
UK[ˈreɪlweɪ]US[ˈreɪlweɪ]
n
A track made of steel rails along which trains run.
n
A system of transportation using such tracks, together with the trains, land, and buildings that belong to it.
Morpheme Breakdown
rail
way
rail
bar
way
path
Etymology
The word 'railway' is a transparent compound formed in English from two native elements. The first part, 'rail', entered English via Old French from the Latin regula, meaning a straight stick or rule, which perfectly describes the parallel, guiding bars of the track. The second part, 'way', is a fundamental Old English word for a path or road. The compound thus logically denotes a "road of rails," a path defined by parallel metal bars. It emerged in the early 19th century as a direct and descriptive term for the new transportation technology, contrasting with earlier "railroad," which uses the synonymous 'road'.
Analysis
Structure: rail (bar) + way (path)
- rail: Origin: Old French reille (iron bar), from Latin regula (straight stick, rule). Role: The core element, denoting the long, straight metal bar.
- way: Origin: Old English weg (path, road). Role: A combining form indicating a path or route for travel.
Examples
The new high-speed railway will connect the two major cities in under an hour.
He has worked on the railway for over forty years.
The old railway line has been converted into a scenic walking and cycling path.