pickup

pick•up

[[t]ˈpɪkˌʌp[/t]] n.

1) an improvement, as in health, business conditions, production, etc

2) inf a casual acquaintance, as one offering hope of a sexual encounter

3) trs an instance of taking aboard passengers or freight

4) the passengers or freight taken aboard

5) aum acceleration, or the capacity for acceleration

6) Also called pick′up truck`. a small truck with a low-sided open body, used for deliveries and light hauling

7) hfi a device at the end of the tone arm of a phonograph that translates the movement of the stylus into a changing electrical voltage; cartridge

8)

a) rtv the reception of sound waves in a radio transmitter for conversion into electrical waves

b) rtv a receiving or recording device

9) cvb composed of or using whatever persons, ingredients, etc., are available:

a pickup dance band; a pickup supper[/ex]

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Etymology: 1855–60