stagecoach
UK: ˈsteɪdʒkəʊtʃ | US: ˈsteɪdʒkoʊtʃ
n. a large horse-drawn vehicle formerly used to carry passengers and mail on regular routes between towns
stagecoach = stage<stopping point> + coach<vehicle>
- stage (from Old French estage, meaning "stopping point" or "phase")
- coach (from Hungarian kocsi, referring to a horse-drawn vehicle from the town of Kocs)
Etymology Origin:
The word "stagecoach" combines "stage," referring to the fixed stopping points along a route, and "coach," a term for a horse-drawn carriage. Historically, stagecoaches operated in segments ("stages") where horses were changed or passengers rested, ensuring efficient long-distance travel. The "coach" component traces back to 16th-century Hungary, where the design of these vehicles became widely adopted.
The stagecoach rattled down the dusty road, carrying mail and weary travelers.
In the 1800s, stagecoaches were vital for cross-country transportation.
Bandits often targeted stagecoaches for their valuable cargo.
The novel describes a dramatic chase involving a runaway stagecoach.
Museums sometimes display restored stagecoaches to illustrate historical travel.