/ ˈməʊtə(r); NAmE ˈmoʊ-/ noun , adjective , verb
■ noun
1.
a device that uses electricity, petrol / gas, etc. to produce movement and makes a machine, a vehicle, a boat, etc. work :
an electric motor
He started the motor.
—see also outboard motor
2.
( BrE , old-fashioned or humorous ) a car
■ adjective [ only before noun ]
1.
having an engine; using the power of an engine :
motor vehicles
2.
( especially BrE ) connected with vehicles that have engines :
the motor industry / trade
a motor accident
motor insurance
motor fuel
3.
( technical ) connected with movement of the body that is produced by muscles; connected with the nerves that control movement :
uncoordinated motor activity
Both motor and sensory functions are affected.
■ verb
[ v + adv. / prep. ] ( old-fashioned , BrE ) to travel by car, especially for pleasure
► motor·ing noun [ U ]:
They're planning a motoring holiday to France this year.
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English (denoting a person who imparts motion): from Latin , literally mover , based on movere to move. The current sense of the noun dates from the mid 19th cent.