motor

[moh-ter] /ˈmoʊ tər/

noun

a comparatively small and powerful engine, especially an internal-combustion engine in an automobile, motorboat, or the like.

any self-powered vehicle.

a person or thing that imparts motion, especially a contrivance, as a steam engine, that receives and modifies energy from some natural source in order to utilize it in driving machinery.

Also called electric motor. Electricity. a machine that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy, as an induction motor.

motors, stocks or bonds in automobile companies.

adjective

pertaining to or operated by a motor.

of, for, by, or pertaining to motor vehicles:

motor freight.

designed or for automobiles, their drivers, or their passengers:

The hotel has a motor lobby in its parking garage for picking up and discharging passengers.

causing or producing motion.

10.

Physiology. conveying an impulse that results or tends to result in motion, as a nerve.

11.

Psychology, Physiology. Also, motoric. of, pertaining to, or involving muscular movement:

a motor response; motor images.

verb (used without object)

12.

to ride or travel in an automobile; drive:

They motored up the coast.

verb (used with object)

13.

Chiefly British. to drive or transport by car:

He motored his son to school.

Origin

1580-90; < Latin mōtor mover, equivalent to mō- (variant stem of movēre to move) + -tor -tor

Related forms

multimotor, noun

Examples from the web for motor

Billions of gallons of motor oil are drained from engine crankcases each year, and only some of it is reused.
The new configuration, called rear-mid-engine, places the motor under the rear seat and over the rear axle.
Hybrid cars, which run on a combination of a gasoline engine and an electric motor, are all the rage these days.
The motor vehicle is developing steadily as a national means of transportation of merchandise.
Used motor oil is a big contributor to the pollution in our waterways.
The ability to learn new motor skills is affected by a slight genetic variation.
Vibration and its effect on the human frame is a story of the automobile and motor cycle as well.
It has a pull-chain which opens it and starts the motor to turn the fan.
Shortly after you move away from the entrance, you're propelled upward at high speed by the linear motor.
Nearly all my responsibilities seem to rely on basic motor skills.

British Dictionary definitions for motor

motor

/ˈməʊtə/

noun

the engine, esp an internal-combustion engine, of a vehicle
(as modifier): a motor scooter

Also called electric motor. a machine that converts electrical energy into mechanical energy by means of the forces exerted on a current-carrying coil placed in a magnetic field

any device that converts another form of energy into mechanical energy to produce motion

an indispensable part or player that moves a process or system along

(mainly Brit) a car or other motor vehicle
as modifier: motor spares

adjective

producing or causing motion

(physiol)

of or relating to nerves or neurons that carry impulses that cause muscles to contract
of or relating to movement or to muscles that induce movement

verb

(intransitive) to travel by car

(transitive) (Brit) to transport by car

10.

(intransitive) (informal) to move fast; make good progress

11.

(transitive) to motivate

Word Origin

C16: from Latin mōtor a mover, from movēre to move

Word Origin and History for motor

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.

1896, from motor (n.). Related: Motored; motoring.

motor in Medicine

motor mo·tor (mō'tər)
adj.

Causing or producing motion.
Of or being nerves that carry impulses from the nerve centers to the muscles.
Involving or relating to movements of the muscles.
Of or relating to an organism's overt reaction to a stimulus.

motor in Science

motor

  (mō'tər)
Noun  A machine that uses energy, such as electric or chemical energy (as from burning a fuel), to produce mechanical motion. See also engine.

Adjective  Involving the muscles or the nerves that are connected to them. Compare sensory.

Slang definitions & phrases for motor

motor

noun

An amphetamine, esp Methedrine2; speed: ''What's motor? Speed?'' ''Un huh'' (1990s+ Narcotics)

verb

To perform well and without apparent effort; cruise: Agassi is motoring through the match (1970s+)
To leave; boogie, book, split: I have to motor if I want to be ready for the funeral (1980s+ Teenagers)