chassis

[ chas-ee, -is, shas-ee ]

noun

, plural chas·sis [chas, -eez, shas, -].

1. Automotive. the frame, wheels, and machinery of a motor vehicle, on which the body is supported.
2. Ordnance. the frame or railway on which a gun carriage moves backward and forward.
3. the main landing gear of an aircraft; that portion of the landing gear that supports an aircraft.
4. Radio and Television. a frame for mounting the circuit components of a radio or television set.
5. a construction forming the sides, top, and bottom of a cabinet, showcase, or the like.

chassis

/ ˈʃæsɪ /

noun

1. the steel frame, wheels, engine, and mechanical parts of a motor vehicle, to which the body is attached
2. electronics a mounting for the circuit components of an electrical or electronic device, such as a radio or television
3. the landing gear of an aircraft
4. obsolete.
   a wooden framework for a window, screen, etc
5. the frame on which a cannon carriage moves backwards and forwards
6. slang.
   the body of a person, esp a woman

Word History and Origins

Origin of chassis¹

1655–65; < French châssis frame; akin to chase ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of chassis¹

C17 (meaning: window frame): from French châssis frame, from Vulgar Latin capsicum (unattested), ultimately from Latin capsa case ²

Example Sentences

Despite sharing a chassis with the Aventador, the Countach has a retro-inspired style all of its own.

From Popular-Science

COSCO, the shipping company that moved Jani, in turn blamed “port congestion,” saying containers that were unloaded weeks ago cannot be reached, and said there was a lack of rail chassis to move the goods.

From Time

There was talk in the early days of how easy it would be to simply drop a new carbon-fiber reinforced plastic body onto the brilliantly engineered aluminum chassis, creating a suite of models that would explore a wide range of electrified mobility.

From Ars Technica

Both vehicles are smooth operators, with all-wheel drive and a sophisticated suspension that raises and lowers the chassis.

From Washington Blade

Deaths in Formula 1 have declined significantly since the sport implemented such measures as safer race car chassis, crash barriers, and better emergency response.

From Outside Online

The prototype Land Rover was designed by a Jeep owner and built on a Jeep chassis.

From The Daily Beast

With its sleek, brushed-aluminum chassis and digital temperature gauge, it could be mistaken for a device that steams milk.

From The Daily Beast

The body of the car rocked from side to side on the chassis under the fierce turmoil in the tonneau.

From Project Gutenberg

The fuselage construction was of wood, with a strong 8-wheeled landing chassis beneath it.

From Project Gutenberg

Remove cabinet back for access to main chassis fuse if it ever becomes necessary to replace it.

From Project Gutenberg

Install diplexer assembly in manner most suitable to TV chassis model.

From Project Gutenberg

Different chassis number, sir, to say nothing of the number-plates.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• frame
• undercarriage