minicabs
|min-i-cabs|
/ˈmɪnɪkæbz/
(minicab)
small private-hire taxi
Etymology
'minicab' originates from English, specifically the compound 'mini-' + 'cab', where 'mini-' meant 'small' (from 'miniature') and 'cab' meant 'taxicab' (shortened from earlier 'cabriolet' via 'cab').
'cab' comes from French 'cabriolet' (a type of carriage) and entered English as 'cab' and later 'taxicab'; in 20th-century British English the compound 'mini-' + 'cab' produced 'minicab' to denote a smaller or privately hired taxi.
Initially it meant simply a 'small taxi', but over time in British usage it came to mean specifically a private-hire vehicle (usually pre-booked) distinct from street-hailable taxis.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural form of 'minicab': small private-hire taxis (especially in British English), typically pre-booked and not licensed to pick up passengers on the street; can also refer to the service or company operating such vehicles.
Minicabs are usually booked in advance rather than hailed on the street.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/24 06:55