I. 1. A substance, esp. a liquid, serving as a means for the readier application or use of another substance mixed with it or dissolved in it: a. Med. A medium of a suitable kind in which strong or unpalatable drugs or medicines are administered.
b. In general use.
c. Painting. A fluid (as water, oil, etc.) with which pigments are mixed for use.
2. That which serves as a means of transmission, or as a material embodiment or manifestation, of something: a. With reference to matter or physical conditions.
b. In other contexts.
c. A substance employed as a material in or on which some work is executed.
3. a. A means or medium by which ideas or impressions are communicated or made known; a medium of expression or utterance.
b. Const. of.
c. Const. to or for.
d. In a metaphor, the literal meaning of the word or words used metaphorically, as distinct from the subject of the metaphor; the image or idea whose association with the subject constitutes the metaphor. Opp. TENOR n. 1d.
4. The form, the material or other shape, in which something spiritual is embodied or manifested.
Freq. c1650-1700, esp. of the body in relation to the soul or spirit.
II. 5. A material means, channel, or instrument, by which a substance or some property of matter (as sound or heat) is conveyed or transmitted from one point to another.
6. A means of conveyance provided with wheels or runners and used for the carriage of persons or goods; a carriage, cart, wagon, sledge, or similar contrivance.
7. a. Any means of carriage, conveyance, or transport; a receptacle in which anything is placed in order to be moved.
b. A space rocket, in relation to its (actual or intended) payload.
8. fig. A song, play, film, etc., that is intended or serves to display the actor (or performing artist) to the best advantage.
9. Comb., as vehicle-park; vehicle-actuated adj.; vehicle-mile, a distance of one mile travelled by one vehicle, used as a statistical unit; vehicle mine, a land-mine designed to destroy vehicles.
