steam shovel
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noun
a machine for digging or excavating, operated by its own engine and boiler.
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“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.
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Origin of steam shovel
An Americanism dating back to 1875–80
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for steam shovel
British Dictionary definitions for steam shovel
steam-shovel
noun
a steam-driven mechanical excavator, esp one having a large bucket or grab on a beam slung from a revolving jib
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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