-vmənt, in rapid speech sometimes -bm- noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English movement, mevement, from Middle French movement, mouvement, from movoir, mouvoir to move + -ment — more at move
1.
a.
(1) : the action or process of moving ; especially : change of place or position or posture
the movement of pioneers to the West
studying the movement of planets
(2) : a particular instance or manner of such moving
made an impatient movement
was entranced with her graceful movements
b.
(1) : a tactical or strategic shifting of a military unit (as an army division) : maneuver
(2) : the orderly advance or progress of a military unit toward some point or in the course of some maneuver
a steady movement of troops over the border
c. : action , activity — usually used in plural
carefully watched the movements of the crowd
d. : a change or marked direction in the price of a commodity or stock
an upward movement in the price of coffee
2.
a.
(1) : a particular impulse or inclination (as of the will)
had some good movements in him — W.M.Thackeray
a movement of the will toward what appears good
(2) : tendency , trend
an age marked by a strong movement toward materialism
(3) : a progression in a particular direction or toward a particular objective
was not sure toward what conclusion the movement of the argument was leading
b.
(1) : a series of actions taken by a body of persons to achieve an objective
(2) : the body of persons taking part in such a series of actions
3. : the moving parts of a mechanism that transmit a definite motion or transform motion ; especially : a delicate train of wheelwork (as in a watch)
4.
a. : motion 9
b. : the rhythmic character or quality of a musical composition
a dance movement
c. : time 7c
d. : tempo
e. : a distinct structural unit or division complete in its own key, rhythmic structure, and themes, and forming part of an extended musical composition
a movement of a suite
the largo movement
5.
a.
(1) : a quality in a fine arts work (as a piece of sculpture, a painting) of representing or suggesting motion
(2) : a quality in a fine arts work of dynamic rhythm and of harmonious variation and progression and of freedom from incongruity and from monotony
b.
(1) : the quality in a piece of prose or poetry of being vibrant and alive through having a quickly moving plot or an abundance of interesting incidents or through having a fresh smooth stimulating style or through some other device that engages the constant interest of the reader
(2) : the particular rhythmic flow of a piece of poetry : cadence
6.
a. : an act of evacuation of the bowels
b. : matter evacuated from the bowels at one passage : stool