Definition of taxi

The word "taxi" has its origin in ancient Greece and Rome. The Greek word "taxeis" (ταξις) means "pauldron" or "shield," and the Roman word "taxa" means "fixed rate" or "tariff." In the late 19th century, the term "taxicab" emerged, a combination of the words "taximeter" and "cabriolet." A taximeter was an instrument used to calculate the fare of a ride, and a cabriolet was a type of horse-drawn carriage. The term "taxicab" was later shortened to "taxi." The first taxi service was introduced in Paris in 1860, and the idea soon spread to other cities around the world. Today, the word "taxi" is recognized globally as a symbol of urban transportation.