shuttle

shuttle [shut′'l]

n.

[ME schutylle < OE scytel, missile < base of sceotan, to SHOOT: so called because shot to and fro with the thread in weaving]

1.

a) an instrument containing a reel or spool of the woof thread, used in weaving to carry the thread back and forth between the warp threads

b) a smaller but similar thread holder used in tatting, etc.

c) a device that carries the lower thread back and forth in making a lock stitch on a sewing machine

d) any of several devices having a similar to-and-fro action

☆ e) a traveling back and forth over an often short route, as by an airplane, train, bus, etc. [kept the planes in a 24-hour shuttle]

f) the route so traveled

g) a shuttle service offered by an airline, esp. one for which reservations are not required [the New York-Washington shuttle]

h) an airplane, train, bus, etc. used in a shuttle

2. SPACE SHUTTLE

3. short for SHUTTLECOCK

vt., vi.

shuttled, shuttling

1. to move or go back and forth rapidly or frequently

☆ 2. to move or go by or as by means of a shuttle