hack

taxicab ax"i*cab, n. an automobile with a professional driver which can be hired to carry passengers; -- also called a {taxi}, and informally called a {cab} or a {hack}. The driver of a taxicab is referred to as a {cab driver} or {cabbie}, and sometimes as a {chauffeur} or {hackie}.

Note: Taxicabs may be engaged by a prior appointment made, e.g. by telephone, or they may cruise for passengers, i.e. they may drive in city streets and stop to pick up pasengers when they are signalled by a prospective passenger. The act of signalling a taxicab (usually by a wave of the arm) is often called

{to hail a cab} or

{to flag down a cab}. [PJC]