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motive power
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motion

mo·tion [ mṓsh'n ]


noun  (plural mo·tions)
Definition:
 
1. act of moving: the act or process of moving, or the way in which somebody or something moves
walked with a swaying motion

2. movement: a movement, action, or gesture
made a quick motion of the wrist

3. power of movement: the power or ability to move something

4. proposal: a proposal put forward for discussion at a meeting

5. law application to judge or court: an application made to a court or judge for an order or ruling in a legal proceeding

6. music movement from one note to another: the movement from one note to the next by a voice or instrument

7. U.K. physiology passing of solid waste from body: the passing of solid waste matter out of the body through the anus

8. U.K. physiology stool: a piece of evacuated fecal matter ( dated ) ( often used in the plural )



transitive and intransitive verb  (past and past participle mo·tioned, present participle mo·tion·ing, 3rd person present singular mo·tions)
Definition:
 
signal to somebody: to gesture or signal something such as a request or intention to somebody
motioned me over and told me to sit down

[14th century. Via French< Latin motion-< past participle of movere "to move"]

go through the motions to do something in a perfunctory or mechanical way, without enthusiasm or commitment

put or set something in motion to cause something to start moving, functioning, or happening

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