runabout

See also: run about

English

Etymology

run +‎ about, from the verb phrase.

Noun

runabout (plural runabouts)

1. Any of several small vehicles, especially a small motor car for use on short journeys.
   • 1913, Robert Barr, chapter 2, in Lord Stranleigh Abroad‎^[1]:

     The door being open, Stranleigh walked in unannounced. A two-seated runabout […] stood by the window, where it could be viewed by passers-by. Further down the room rested a chassis, […]

2. (dated) A motor car having a single row of seats.
3. (historical) An light, open, American horse-drawn vehicle with four large wheels.
4. (archaic) A gadabout or vagabond.

Related terms

• tourabout