Pronunciation: ' m ō -sh ə n
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English mocioun, from Anglo-French motion, from Latin motion-, motio movement, from mov ē re to move
Date: 14th century
1 a : an act, process, or instance of changing place : MOVEMENT b : an active or functioning state or condition <set the divorce proceedings in motion >
2 : an impulse or inclination of the mind or will
3 a : a proposal for action especially : a formal proposal made in a deliberative assembly b : an application made to a court or judge to obtain an order, ruling, or direction
4 obsolete a : a puppet show b : PUPPET
5 : MECHANISM
6 a : an act or instance of moving the body or its parts : GESTURE b plural : ACTIVITIES , MOVEMENTS
7 : melodic change of pitch
– mo · tion · al \ ' m ō -shn ə l, -sh ə -n ə l \ adjective
– mo · tion · less \ ' m ō -sh ə n-l ə s \ adjective
– mo · tion · less · ly adverb
– mo · tion · less · ness noun
– in motion
of an offensive football player : running parallel to the line of scrimmage before the snap