n. & v.
n. 1 the act or process of moving or of changing position. 2 a particular manner of moving the body in walking etc. 3 a change of posture. 4 a gesture. 5 a formal proposal put to a committee, legislature, etc. 6 Law an application for a rule or order of court. 7 a an evacuation of the bowels. b (in sing. or pl.) faeces. 8 a piece of moving mechanism.
v. (often foll. by to + infin.) 1 tr. direct (a person) by a sign or gesture. 2 intr. (often foll. by to a person) make a gesture directing (motioned to me to leave). go through the motions 1 make a pretence; do something perfunctorily or superficially. 2 simulate an action by gestures. in motion moving; not at rest. motion picture (often (with hyphen) attrib.) a film (see FILM n. 3) with the illusion of movement. put (or set) in motion set going or working. motional adj. motionless adj.
[ ME f. OF f. L motio -onis (as MOVE) ]