̈ɪtreɪn v. & n. --v. 1 a tr. (often foll. by to + infin.)
teach (a
person,
animal,
oneself, etc.) a specified
skill esp. by
practice (trained
the dog to
beg;
was trained in midwifery). b intr.
undergo this process (trained as a teacher). 2 tr. & intr.
bring or
come into a
state of
physical efficiency by
exercise, diet,
etc.; undergo physical exercise, esp.
for a
specific purpose (trained me for the
high jump; the
team trains
every evening). 3 tr.
cause (a plant) to
grow in a required
shape (trained the peach
tree up the wall). 4 (usu. as trained adj.)
make (the
mind,
eye, etc.)
sharp or
discerning as a
result of
instruction, practice, etc. 5 tr. (often foll. by on)
point or
aim (a
gun,
camera, etc.) at an
object etc. 6 colloq. a intr. go by train. b tr. (foll. by it as object) make a
journey by train (trained it to Aberdeen). 7 tr. (usu. foll. by away)
archaic entice, lure. --n. 1 a
series of
railway carriages or trucks
drawn by an
engine. 2
something dragged
along behind or forming the
back part of a
dress,
robe, etc. (wore a dress
with a long train; the train of the peacock). 3 a
succession or series of
people, things, events, etc. (a long train of camels; interrupted my train of thought; a train of ideas). 4 a
body of followers; a
retinue (a train of admirers). 5 a succession of
military vehicles etc., including
artillery, supplies, etc. (baggage train). 6 a line of
gunpowder etc. to
fire an
explosive charge. 7 a series of
connected wheels or parts in
machinery. øin train
properly arranged or directed. in a person's train
following behind a person. in the train of as a
sequel of. train-bearer a person employed to hold up the train of a robe etc. train down train with exercise or diet to lower one's
weight. train-ferry (pl. -ies) a
ship that conveys a railway train
across water. train-mile
one mile travelled by one train, as a
unit of
traffic. train-spotter a person
who collects
locomotive numbers as a hobby. train-spotting this hobby. øøtrainable adj. trainability n. trainee n. trainless adj. [ME f. OF
traìner, trahiner, ult. f. L trahere draw]
