au·to·mo·bile (ô'tə-mō-bēl', -mō'bēl') n. A self-propelled passenger vehicle that usually has four wheels and an internal-combustion engine, used for land transport. Also called motorcar. adj. Of or relating to automobiles; automotive.
[French : Greek auto-, auto- + French mobile, mobile (from Old French; see mobile).] au'to·mo·bil'ist n.
1883, in ref. to electric traction cars, from Fr. automobile (adj.), 1861, from Gk. auto- "self" + Fr. mobile "moving," from L. mobilis "movable." Meaning "self-propelled motor vehicle" is from 1895. The modern Gk. calls it autokineto "moved of itself." Automaker "manufacturer of automobiles" is from 1947.