go-devil
Americannoun
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a flexible, jointed apparatus forced through a pipeline to free it from obstructions.
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a dart dropped into a well, especially an oil well, to explode a charge of dynamite or nitroglycerin previously placed in a desired position.
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Railroads. a handcar.
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a sled used to drag or carry logs, stone, etc.
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Also called sled cultivator. a cultivator that rides on wooden runners and is used on listed furrows.
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Western U.S. any exceptionally fast or effective machine or appliance.
That food processor is a real go-devil.
Etymology
Origin of go-devil
An Americanism dating back to 1825–35
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Painted and caparisoned in madcap masquerade, they leap down from their green go-devil and race through startled crowds like advance men for oncoming chaos.
From Time Magazine Archive
“Well, this is running your westing down if anybody should ride up in a go-devil and ask you.”
From The Mutiny of the Elsinore by Jack London
"That's the go-devil," replied Bob; and then, as he saw that Ralph did not understand, he added: "It is to drop through the hole to explode the cartridges after they are placed in position."
From Ralph Gurney's Oil Speculation by James Otis
When the bustling, contradicting and confusion finally subsided, the wagon was stealthily pushed over the ridge, the hay fired and the blazing outfit, christened a go-devil, was started with a shout down the slope.
From Laramie Holds the Range by Frank H. (Frank Hamilton) Spearman
He saw that steam was up in the boiler which operated the "go-devil," although the contrivance itself was stationary.
From The Iron Trail by Rex Ellingwood Beach
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
