/moohv"meuhnt/ , n.
1. the act, process, or result of moving.
2. a particular manner or style of moving.
3. Usually, movements . actions or activities, as of a person or a body of persons.
4. Mil. , Naval. a change of position or location of troops or ships.
5. abundance of events or incidents.
6. rapid progress of events.
7. the progress of events, as in a narrative or drama.
8. Fine Arts. the suggestion of motion in a work of art, either by represented gesture in figurative painting or sculpture or by the relationship of structural elements in a design or composition.
9. a progressive development of ideas toward a particular conclusion: the movement of his thought.
10. a series of actions or activities intended or tending toward a particular end: the movement toward universal suffrage.
11. the course, tendency, or trend of affairs in a particular field.
12. a diffusely organized or heterogeneous group of people or organizations tending toward or favoring a generalized common goal: the antislavery movement; the realistic movement in art.
13. the price change in the market of some commodity or security: an upward movement in the price of butter.
14. See bowel movement .
15. the working parts or a distinct portion of the working parts of a mechanism, as of a watch.
16. Music.
a. a principal division or section of a sonata, symphony, or the like.
b. motion; rhythm; time; tempo.
17. Pros. rhythmical structure or character.
[ 1350-1400; ME ]
Syn. 1. See motion. 5. eventfulness.
Ant. 1. inertia, stasis.