Main Entry: ¹mo·tion

Pronunciation: \ˈmō-shən\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English mocioun, from Anglo-French motion, from Latin motion-, motio movement, from movēre to move

Date: 14th century

1 a : an act, process, or instance of changing place : movement b : an active or functioning state or condition <set the divorce proceedings in motion>
2 : an impulse or inclination of the mind or will
3 a : a proposal for action; especially : a formal proposal made in a deliberative assembly b : an application made to a court or judge to obtain an order, ruling, or direction
4 obsolete a : a puppet show b : puppet
5 : mechanism
6 a : an act or instance of moving the body or its parts : gesture b plural : activities, movements
7 : melodic change of pitch

— mo·tion·al \ˈmō-shnəl, -shə-n^əl\ adjective

— mo·tion·less \ˈmō-shən-ləs\ adjective

— mo·tion·less·ly adverb

— mo·tion·less·ness noun

— in motion of an offensive football player : running parallel to the line of scrimmage before the snap