English Explanatory Dictionary

motor

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A machine or device that converts other energy forms into mechanical energy, or imparts motion.
  2. A motor car, or automobile, sometimes extended to other powered vehicles, such as goods vehicles.
  3. A source of power for something; an inspiration; a driving force.
  4. Any protein capable of converting chemical energy into mechanical work.
  5. The controller or prime mover of the universe; God.
  6. The fermenting mass of fruit that is the basis of pruno, or "prison wine".
adj
  1. Relating to the ability to move.
  2. Propelled by an internal combustion engine (as opposed to a steam engine or turbine).
verb
  1. To make a journey by motor vehicle; to drive.
  2. To rotate a jet engine or turboprop using the engine's starter, without introducing fuel into the engine.
  3. To progress at a brisk pace.
  4. To leave.
name
  1. Alternative form of Mator (“Samoyedic language”).

Pronunciation

/ˈməʊtə/ /ˈmoʊtəɹ/ [ˈmoʊɾɚ] en-us-motor.ogg /ˈməʉtə/ [ˈməʉɾə] /ˈmɐʉtə/ [ˈmɐʉɾə] /ˈmotəɾ/

Word forms

motor motors motour motoring motored

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *m(y)ewh₁-der. Proto-Italic *moweō Latin moveō Proto-Indo-European *-tōr Proto-Italic *-tōr Latin -tor Latin mōtorder. Middle English motour English motor From Middle English motour (“controller, prime mover; God”), from Latin mōtor (“mover; that which moves something”), from mōtō (“to set in motion”).

Synonyms

engine drive kicker moto

Related words

motoric

Derived words

aeromotor affectomotor agrimotor air motor arteriomotor audiomotor barring motor bimotor Brownian motor coastal motor boat corticomotor crate motor depressomotor diesel motor dorsomotor driving motor electric motor electromotor extramotor fine motor skill gearmotor graphomotor gross motor skill hydromotor hypermotor hysteresis motor ideomotor idiomotor induction motor kick motor linear motor magnetomotor micromotor monomotor Motability motel motopia motorable motor accident motorail motor-ambulance motor aphasia motoraxon motor banca motorbicycle motorbike motorboard motor boat motorboat motor bogie motorbus motorcab motorcade motorcamp motorcar motorcaravan motor caravan motor-coach motorcoach motor coach
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