[mo.tion] n [ME mocioun, fr. MF motion, fr. L motion-, motio movement, fr. movere to move] (14c) 1 a: an act, process, or instance of changing place: movement b: an active or functioning state or condition "set the divorce proceedings in ~"
2: an impulse or inclination of the mind or will 3 a: a proposal for action; esp: 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. obs a: a puppet show b: puppet
5: mechanism
6. a: an act or instance of moving the body or its parts: gesture b pl: activities, movements 7: melodic change of pitch -- mo.tion.al adj -- mo.tion.less adj -- mo.tion.less.ly adv -- mo.tion.less.ness n -- in motion of an offensive football player: running parallel to the line of scrimmage before the snap
[2]motion vb mo.tioned ; mo.tion.ing vi (1747): to signal by a movement or gesture "the pitcher ~ed to the catcher" ~ vt: to direct by a motion "~ed me to the seat"