Ve"hi*cle (?), n. [L. vehiculum, fr.
vehere to carry; akin to E. way, wain. See Way,
n., and cf. Convex, Inveigh, Veil,
Vex.]
1. That in or on which any person or thing is, or
may be, carried, as a coach, carriage, wagon, cart, car, sleigh, bicycle,
etc.; a means of conveyance; specifically, a means of conveyance upon
land.
2. That which is used as the instrument of
conveyance or communication; as, matter is the vehicle of
energy.
A simple style forms the best vehicle of thought to a
popular assembly.
Wirt.
3. (Pharm.) A substance in which medicine is
taken.
4. (Paint.) Any liquid with which a pigment
is applied, including whatever gum, wax, or glutinous or adhesive substance
is combined with it.
☞ Water is used in fresco and in water-color painting, the colors
being consolidated with gum arabic; size is used in distemper painting. In
oil painting, the fixed oils of linseed, nut, and poppy, are used; in
encaustic, wax is the vehicle. Fairholt.
Ve"hi*cle (?), n. (Chem.) A
liquid used to spread sensitive salts upon glass and paper for use in
photography.