funicular

funicular, cable railway

noun foo-nee-koo-LAHR Rare

Origin: From Latin funiculus (small rope), from funis (rope).

Usage Note

Funicular refers to a rail vehicle pulled by a cable, typically used on steep hillsides to carry passengers — famous ones include those in Lisbon, Barcelona (Funicular de Montjuïc), and Naples. As an adjective funicular describes anything rope- or cable-related (e.g. hernia funicular), but the noun sense for the mountain railway dominates in everyday use.

Examples

"Subimos al castillo en funicular."

Natural Translation

We went up to the castle by funicular.

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