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.
© Webster 1913
Ve"hi*cle (?), n. (Chem.)
A liquid used to spread sensitive salts upon glass and paper for use in photography.
© Webster 1913