motor

¹mo·tor

noun \ˈmō-tər\

Definition of MOTOR

1

: one that imparts motion; specifically : prime mover

2

: any of various power units that develop energy or impart motion: as

a : a small compact engine

b : internal combustion engine; especially : a gasoline engine

c : a rotating machine that transforms electrical energy into mechanical energy

3

: motor vehicle; especially : automobile

— mo·tor·dom \-dəm\ noun

— mo·tor·less \-ləs\ adjective

Examples of MOTOR

1. <the device was equipped with a small electrical motor to make the gears spin>
2. <went shopping for a new automobile at Valley Motors>

Origin of MOTOR

Latin, from movēre to move

First Known Use: 1586

Related to MOTOR

Synonyms

machine, engine

Related Words

converter, transformer; appliance, mechanism; equipment, tool; mill

Other Mechanical Engineering Terms

centrifuge, differential, flange, lathe, linchpin, pinion, plenum, ratchet, traction

Rhymes with MOTOR

bloater, boater, coater, doter, floater, gloater, noter, oater, quoter, rotor, scoter, toter, voter

²motor

adjective

Definition of MOTOR

1

a : causing or imparting motion

b : of, relating to, or being a motor neuron or a nerve containing motor neurons <motor fiber>

c : of, relating to, concerned with, or involving muscular movement <motor areas of the brain>

2

a : equipped with or driven by a motor

b : of, relating to, or involving an automobile

c : designed for motor vehicles or motorists

Examples of MOTOR

1. motor areas of the brain

First Known Use of MOTOR

1824

Other Mechanical Engineering Terms

centrifuge, differential, flange, lathe, linchpin, pinion, plenum, ratchet, traction

Rhymes with MOTOR

bloater, coater, doter, gloater, noter, quoter

³motor

verb

Definition of MOTOR

intransitive verb

1

: to travel by automobile : drive

2

: to move or proceed at a vigorous steady pace <motored down the field for a touchdown>

transitive verb

: to transport by automobile

Examples of MOTOR

1. We spent the afternoon motoring through the countryside.
2. The car motored slowly up the hill.

First Known Use of MOTOR

1896

Related to MOTOR

Synonyms

barrel, belt, blast, blaze, blow, bolt, bomb [slang], bowl, breeze, bundle, bustle, buzz, cannonball, careen, career, chase, course, crack (on), dash, drive, fly, hare, hasten, hie, highball, hotfoot (it), hump, hurl, hurtle, hustle, jet, jump, hurry, nip, pelt, race, ram, rip, rocket, run, rush, rustle, scoot, scurry, scuttle, shoot, speed, step, tear, travel, trot, whirl, whisk, zip, zoom

Antonyms

crawl, creep, poke

Related Words

beetle, dart, flit, scamper, scud, scuffle; stampede, streak, whiz (or whizz); gallop, jog, sprint; accelerate, quicken, step out; catch up, fast-forward, outpace, outrun, outstrip, overtake; arrow, beeline

Near Antonyms

dally, dawdle, dillydally, drag, hang (around or out), lag, linger, loiter, poke, tarry; amble, lumber, plod, saunter, shuffle, stroll; decelerate, slow (down or up)

mo·tor

adjective \ˈmōt-ər\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of MOTOR

1

: causing or imparting motion

2

: of, relating to, or being a motor neuron or a nerve containing motor neurons <motor fibers> <motor cells>

3

: of, relating to, concerned with, or involving muscular movement <motor areas of the brain>