chassis
[chas-ee, -is, shas-ee]
- Automotive. the frame, wheels, and machinery of a motor vehicle, on which the body is supported.
- Ordnance. the frame or railway on which a gun carriage moves backward and forward.
- the main landing gear of an aircraft; that portion of the landing gear that supports an aircraft.
- Radio and Television. a frame for mounting the circuit components of a radio or television set.
- a construction forming the sides, top, and bottom of a cabinet, showcase, or the like.
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Origin of chassis
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
Examples from the Web for chassis
Contemporary Examples
The prototype Land Rover was designed by a Jeep owner and built on a Jeep chassis.
Historical Examples
Jason carefully set the parts out on the chassis before he spoke.
DeathworldHarry Harrison
Hugh gripped the side of the chassis as the secret was mentioned.
King of RanleighF. S. (Frederick Sadlier) Brereton
So long as the car body would stand on the chassis it was not repaired.
The Iron RationGeorge Abel Schreiner
It was a large wagon with a sort of house built on the chassis.
Ticktock and JimKeith Robertson
You have slept at the wheel and in the chassis, after hours of work.
Our Part in the Great WarArthur Gleason
chassis
- the steel frame, wheels, engine, and mechanical parts of a motor vehicle, to which the body is attached
- electronics a mounting for the circuit components of an electrical or electronic device, such as a radio or television
- the landing gear of an aircraft
- obsolete a wooden framework for a window, screen, etc
- the frame on which a cannon carriage moves backwards and forwards
- slang the body of a person, esp a woman
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Word Origin
C17 (meaning: window frame): from French châssis frame, from Vulgar Latin capsicum (unattested), ultimately from Latin capsa case ²
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for chassis
n.
"base frame of an automobile," 1903, American English; earlier "window frame" (1660s), from French châssis "frame," Old French chassiz (13c.) "frame, framework, setting," from chasse "case, box, eye socket, snail's shell, setting (of a jewel)," from Latin capsa "box, case;" see case (n.2) + French -is, collective suffix for a number of parts taken together. Cf. sash (n.2).
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper