third rail

英語（米国） (en-US) 英語（イギリス） (en-GB)

名詞

広義

The electrified rail that runs beside or between train tracks to power electric trains. / (by extension) Anything that is dangerous to come into contact with, or is best avoided.

このボタンはなに？

The conductor cautioned us to stay behind the yellow line and never touch the third rail, which carries high voltage.

詳細

意味（1）

The electrified rail that runs beside or between train tracks to power electric trains.

The locomotive third-rail pick up shoes are of the new standard S.R. type. … Whenever the locomotive was working hard there was unmistakable evidence of its higher power than its predecessors in the brilliant and explosive arcing between conductor shoes and the third rail; this was particularly vivid in Quarry Tunnel in the down direction, where the display equalled anything we have seen on the frostiest of nights in an electrified third-rail area.

詳細

意味（2）

(by extension) Anything that is dangerous to come into contact with, or is best avoided.

Today's rapidly developing third rail (at least in some states) is supporting driver's licenses for illegal immigrants, as favored by New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer.

詳細

third rails （ plural ）