Lexic.us

Definition of Sidetrack

1. Noun. A short stretch of railroad track used to store rolling stock or enable trains on the same line to pass.

Definition of Sidetrack

1. v. t. To transfer to a siding from a main line of track.

Definition of Sidetrack

1. Noun. (rail transport) A second, relatively short length of track just to the side of a railroad track, joined to the main track by switches at one or both ends, used either for unloading freight, or to allow two trains on a same track to meet (opposite directions) or pass (same direction); a railroad siding. ¹

2. Noun. (sometimes) Any auxiliary railroad track, as ''differentiated'' from a siding, that runs adjacent to the main track. ¹

3. Noun. (mining) A smaller tunnel or well drilled as an auxiliary off a main tunnel or well. ¹

4. Noun. An alternate train of thought, issue, topic, or activity, that is a deviation or distraction from the topic at hand or central activity, and secondary or subordinate in importance or effectiveness. ¹

5. Verb. To divert (a locomotive) on to a lesser used track in order to allow other trains to pass. ¹

6. Verb. To divert or distract (someone) from a main issue or course of action with an alternate or less relevant topic or activity; or, to use deliberate trickery or sly wordplay when talking to (a person) in order to avoid discussion of a subject. ¹

7. Verb. To sideline; to push aside; to divert or distract from, reducing (something) to a secondary or subordinate position. ¹

8. Verb. (intransitive) To deviate briefly from the topic at hand. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Sidetrack

1. [v -ED, -ING, -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Sidetrack

Literary usage of Sidetrack

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Control of Public Utilities by William Mills Ivins, Herbert Delavan Mason, New York (State). (1908)
"Switch and sidetrack connections; powers of commissions * [to order their installation or discontinuance].— 1. A railroad corporation, upon the application ..."

2. Lawyers' Reports Annotated by Lawyers Co-operative Publishing Company (1919)
"Nobles, in passing the defendant's switch on the sidetrack, saw that it was closed; the heavy freight train was on the main track; the passenger train ..."

3. Public Utilities Reports by Henry Clifford Spurr, Ellsworth Nichols, Public Utilities Reports, inc (1920)
"And the Commissioners of railroad shall have power to locate such sidetrack or spur or extension of such sidetrack or spur which is now in use, ..."

4. The General Ordinances of the City of Portland, Oregon by Portland (Or.)., Portland (Or.), Thomas C. Devlin (1905)
"sidetrack, Front street 7811 Northern Pacific Terminal Company sidetrack North Ninth street.. 9278 Northern Pacific Terminal Company sidetrack, ..."

5. The Law of Modern Municipal Charters and the Organization of Cities on by William Kent Clute (1920)
"... the granting of sidetrack or switch privileges to railway companies for the purpose of reaching, and affording railway connection and switch privileges ..."

6. The American State Reports: Containing the Cases of General Value and by Abraham Clark Freeman (1898)
"In compliance with this order, the plaintiff run tils train onto the sidetrack, and, in the performance of. his duty, aa he alleges, took Ids position near ..."

Other Resources: