(n) A diesel engine where the cylinder arrangement is in the form of an equilateral triangle operating from three crankshafts (one at each apex) geared together to form one output shaft. As the pistons are opposed the engine is a 2 stroke type. The 9 cyl and 18 cyl types were used in high powered military vehicles, high powered marine MTB's and high powered high speed British locomotives. The Deltics ran from London to Scotland on the east coast mainline from 1960 to 1981. Six Deltic locos are preserved.
by swineyvee October 08, 2006
(adj) Peaceful, beautiful. Very closely linked with idyllic, to be deltic is to be almost perfect. Can be used in irony
by Sam Shethran July 25, 2006