Motion

n. [Lat. motio, from movere, motum, to move; Fr. motion, Pr. mocio, Sp. mocion, It. mozione.]

1Sense 1. The act or process of changing place; movement; alteration of position; the passing of a body from one place to another, whether by voluntary, organic, or mechanical action;—opposed to rest.

2Sense 2. Appropriate motion; manner of motion; port; gait; air. “Each member move and every motion guide.” Blackmore. “Watching the motion of her patron’s eye.” Dryden.

3Sense 3. Power of, or capacity for, motion. “Devoid of sense and motion.” Milton.

4Sense 4. Movement of the mind, will, desires, or passions; mental act, or impulse to any action; internal activity.

Let a good man obey every good motion rising in his heart, knowing that every such motion proceeds from God. South.

There is a fire And motion of the soul which will not dwell In its own narrow being. Byron.

5Sense 5. Proposal made; proposition offered; especially, a proposition made in a deliberative assembly; as, a motion is made for a committee; a motion for introducing a bill; a motion to adjourn.

6Sense 6. A puppet-show or puppet. [Obs.]

What motion’s this? the model of Nineveh! Beau. & Fl.

☞ Motion, in mechanics, may be simple or compound. Simple motions are, (a.) Straight translation, which, if of indefinite duration, must be reciprocating. (b.) Simple rotation, which may be either continuous or reciprocating, and when reciprocating is called oscillating. (c.) Helical, which, if of indefinite duration, must be reciprocating. Compound motion consists of combinations of any of the simple motions.

v. i. [imp. & p. p. MOTIONED; p. pr. & vb. n. MOTIONING.]

1Sense 1. To make a significant movement or gesture, as with the hand; as, to motion to one to take a seat.

2Sense 2. To make proposal; to offer plans. [R.] Milton.

To propose. [Rare.] See MOVE.

O thou that, . . . when we were quite breathless, didst motion peace and terms of covenant with us. Milton.