hansom

[ han-suhm ]

noun

1. a low-hung, two-wheeled, covered vehicle drawn by one horse, for two passengers, with the driver being mounted on an elevated seat behind and the reins running over the roof.
2. any similar horse-drawn vehicle.

hansom

/ ˈhænsəm /

noun

1. sometimes capital a two-wheeled one-horse carriage with a fixed hood. The driver sits on a high outside seat at the rear Also calledhansom cab

Word History and Origins

Origin of hansom¹

1850–55; named after J. A. Hansom (1803–82), English architect who designed it

Word History and Origins

Origin of hansom¹

C19: short for hansom cab, named after its designer J. A. Hansom (1803–82)

Example Sentences

Then, as Jessie had confidently anticipated, another figure emerged as if from the door of the garden and hailed the other hansom.

From Project Gutenberg

With a grin the cabman touched his cap, the door banged, and the hansom set off as if the fare were in a breakneck hurry.

From Project Gutenberg

I immediately took a hansom to Maxwell's rooms, to find that he had gone to Paris in a great hurry.

From Project Gutenberg

His first move was to take a hansom and go down to the office of the Mercury and there ask for Mr. Hunt.

From Project Gutenberg

He made some remark about the beauty of the night, and a minute later he was bowling back in a hansom to Merehaven House.

From Project Gutenberg