motor
pronunciation
How to pronounce motor in British English:
UK [ˈməʊtə(r)]
How to pronounce motor in American English:
US [ˈmoʊtər]
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- Noun:
- machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion
- a nonspecific agent that imparts motion
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- Verb:
- travel or be transported in a vehicle
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- Adjective:
- conveying information to the muscles from the CNS
- causing or able to cause motion
Word Origin
- motor
- motor: [16] The most direct English descendant of Latin movēre ‘move’ is of course move, but several more have found their way into the language via derivatives. From mōtiō ‘movement’ comes motion [15] (and its collateral forms commotion [15], emotion, and promotion [15]); from mōtīvus ‘causing to move’ come motivate [19], motive [14], and (via modern French) motif [19]; and mōtor ‘mover’ has given motor.Originally this was used for the rather generalized notion of a ‘moving force’; the modern application to an ‘engine’ did not emerge until the mid-19th century. Also from movēre come English moment and mutiny.=> commotion, emotion, moment, motif, motion, motive, move, mutiny, promotion
- motor (n.)
- mid-15c., "controller, prime mover," from Latin motor, literally "mover," agent noun from past participle stem of movere "to move" (see move (v.)). From 15c. as "controller, prime mover" (in reference to God); sense of "agent or force that produces mechanical motion" is first recorded 1660s; that of "machine that supplies motive power" is from 1856. First record of slang motor-mouth "fast-talking person" is from 1970.
- motor (v.)
- 1896, from motor (n.). Related: Motored; motoring.
Example
- 1. How do you get the motor city revving again ?
- 2. The motor city recently filed for bankruptcy with about $ 18.5 billion in debt .
- 3. Motor racing is a big british success story .
- 4. Other fuel-saving cars will appear at motor shows .
- 5. This induces current in the motor inside the heart .