What is the origin of the word 'train', in the context of 'to train a camera on something'?

Answer 1

The etymology of the word (going back to Latin words for "drag, draw") is correct, but may still leave you wondering how we got to the particular sense you are looking at. This is not uncommon with language -- meanings can move quite far from their origins.

But in this case, if you read through the various uses of "train", and especially the NOUN uses, I think you can see how the meaning "aim. . . " may have come about rather naturally.

The etymological listing I find most helpful is the following

"[Origin: 1350–1400; (v.) late ME traynyn to pull or drag in the rear < MF trainer, OF tra(h)iner < VL *traginare, deriv. of *tragina something dragged or drawn (cf. ML tragina carriage), deriv. of *tragere to pull, for L trahere; (n.) ME train, traine < OF tra(h)in (masc.) series of people, animals, or things, tra(h)ine (fem.) something dragged behind, both deriv. of tra(h)iner]"
http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=train


In fact, while you're looking through the dictionary entry for "train", you might also look at entries for

trail, track, tract, trace

--check the meanings
http://www.webster.com/dictionary/train
http://www.webster.com/dictionary/trail
http://www.webster.com/dictionary/track

-- and etymologies
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=train
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?term=tract
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?search=term=trail


All of these words seem to go back ultimately to the same Latin root. And, what's more important in this case is that all have senses involving a LINE (series, succession ...). This is especially clear in the NOUN meanings of train.

For example:
* a connected series of events, actions, ideas, thoughts, etc.
* a string of railway carriages or wagons with a locomotive.
* a back part of a long dress or robe that trails behind the wearer.
http://www.allwords.com/word-train.html


Originally this idea of a line ---as train of skirt of people in procession--is of one that drags/extends behind someone. So you can see how we get from "drag" to "line". But from here it is not too difficult to see how other uses of these words began to use the line idea in other ways, including that of 'lining up' when aiming or setting something as a goal.

Answer 2

Main Entry: train
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French trainer, from Vulgar Latin *traginare; akin to Latin trahere to draw
transitive verb

Answer 3

2 me it's just another word 4 Guide.
Praps the camera will remember 4 next time!
Guess I really haven't got a clue.
2 points thanx.

Answer 4

Below is the part that you want. Other meanings os TRAIN have been deleted.

To focus on or aim at (a goal, mark, or target); direct. See Synonyms at aim.
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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, trailing part of a gown, from Old French, from trainer, to drag, from Vulgar Latin *tragnre, from *tragere, to pull, back-formation from tractus, past participle of Latin trahere