motion

▪ I. motion, n.
    (ˈməʊʃən)
    Forms: 4–6 mocioun, 5 mocyoun, moscyoun, 5–6 mocyon, 5–7 mocion, 6 mocyone, motione, motioun, motyon, 5– motion.
    [a. F. motion (13th c.), ad. L. mōtiōn-em, n. of action f. movēre to move.
    The Eng. uses correspond not only to those of L. mōtio, but also, and perhaps more commonly, to those of mōtus (It., Sp. moto).]
    1. a. The process of moving, i.e. of undergoing change of place; the condition of a body (in mathematical theory also of a point, line, surface, etc.) when at each successive instant it occupies a different position in space. Also, in particularized uses: An instance, or a particular kind or variety (discriminated according to direction, velocity, etc.) of this process or condition. (In early use chiefly of the movements of the heavenly bodies.)
    motion of rotation, of translation: see those words. laws of motion: see law n. 17 b.

1412–20 Lydg. Chron. Troy i. 1706 Þe grete Tholome..telleþ þe cause why..Bothe of Eclips and coniunccioun, And whi þei falle by natural mocioun. c 1430 ― Min. Poems (Percy Soc.) 85 The chieldren of Seth..Founde first the crafte of hevenly mocyouns. 1570 Billingsley Euclid i. def. xvi. 3 A point, by his motion or draught, describeth a line. 1590 Shakes. Com. Err. iii. ii. 24 We in your motion turne, and you may moue vs. 1629 Massinger Roman Actor ii. i, The motion of the Spheares are out of time, Her musicall notes but heard. 1642 Fuller Holy & Prof. St. iv. ix. 277 Diogenes confuted him who denyed there was any motion, by saying nothing but walking before his eyes. 1670 H. Stubbe Plus Ultra 163 The superiour part of the Air or Atmosphere..hath another motion or lation then that which is more low. 1690 Locke Hum. Und. ii. xiv. §7 This..is the Reason, why Motions very slow, though they are constant, are not perceived by us. 1701 Grew Cosmol. Sacra i. i. 4 The two Visible Parts of the Universe are Matter and Motion. 1710 J. Clarke Rohault's Nat. Phil. (1729) I. 165 The Particles of the Water having less Motion, than our Bodies have in all those Parts which are near the Heart, they receive some Motion from us. 1812–16 Playfair Nat. Phil. (1819) I. Introd. 9 No body loses motion in any direction, without communicating an equal quantity to other bodies in that same direction. 1829 Nat. Philos. I. Mechanics ii. xiii. 53 (Usef. Knowl. Soc.) Generally speaking,..the motions which we meet with in the use of machinery may be resolved into rectilinear and circular. 1860 Tyndall Glac. i. xi. 82 The clouds at a distance lay..with scarcely visible motion. 1875 Jowett Plato (ed. 2) V. 150 The motion..was circular, as in the motion of a top. 1883 Encycl. Brit. XV. 687/1 We must now consider the composition of simple harmonic motions in directions at right angles to each other.

    b. fig. (e.g. of the progress of time.)

1681 Dryden Abs. & Achit. 254 Heaven has to all allotted, soon or late, Some lucky Revolution of their Fate: Whose Motions, if we watch and guide with Skill [etc.]. 1822 Byron Heav. & Earth i. iii. 83 Nor years, nor heart-break, nor time's sapping motion.

    c. Philos. (now only Hist.) By many writers motion (Gr. κίνησις) was applied in a wider sense to all kinds of change, the term local motion being employed to distinguish change of place from the other kinds of ‘motion’.

1678 Cudworth Intell. Syst. i. i. §41. 50 To assert that Life and Sense, Reason and Understanding, were really nothing else but Local Motion. 1727–41 Chambers Cycl. s.v., The antient philosophers considered motion in a more general and extensive manner. They defined it, a passage out of one state into another: and thus made six kinds of motion, viz. Creation, generation, corruption, augmentation, diminution, and lation, or local motion.

    † d. Change of abode; a flitting from one place to another. Obs.

1634 Sir T. Herbert Trav. 130 Hee seldome resides in Cities, or any one place long, but affects perpetuall motion. 1643 Evelyn Diary 23 July, Which had been a greate cause of my perpetual motions hitherto between Wotton and London. 1645 [see 6 a]. a 1661 Fuller Worthies, Staffs. (1662) iii. 46 William Gifford..was a man of much Motion.

    † e. The action of moving or setting in movement, the fact of being moved. Obs. rare.

1667 Milton P.L. xii. 592 And see the Guards, By mee encampt on yonder Hill, expect Thir motion, at whose Front a flaming Sword, In signal of remove, waves fiercely round.

    † f. fig. Advancement, promotion. Obs. rare.

1641 W. Mountagu in Buccleuch MSS. (Hist. MSS. Comm.) I. 288 The lawyers also must have their motions: Banks must be Baron and Lord Treasurer, the Attorney Chief Justice.

    2. a. Change of place, whether voluntary or automatic, in an animate body or its parts; an instance of this, a movement.

1588 Shakes. L.L.L. iv. ii. 403 O! neuer will I trust to speeches pen'd, Nor to the motion of a Schoole-boies tongue. 1615 Crooke Body of Man 740 Men..in their sleepe haue not so strong Tonnical motions as when they are awake. 1644 [see local A. 1 c]. 1645 Evelyn Diary 7 Jan., A Sermon was preach'd to the Jewes.., who are constrained to sit till the houre is don; but it is with so much..spitting, hum'ing, coughing, and motion, that [etc.]. 1727–41 Chambers Cycl. s.v., Animal Motion, is that whereby the situation, figure, magnitude, &c. of the parts, members, &c. of animals are changed. 1742 Young Nt. Th. viii. 541 The love of pleasure: that, thro' ev'ry vein, Throws motion, warmth. 1799 Med. Jrnl. II. 423 To retard the motion of the heart and circulating fluids. 1803 Ibid. X. 433 This translation of sensation and motion to parts remote from the place where impressions are made. 1813 Byron Br. Abydos ii. xxvi, That hand, whose motion is not life, Yet feebly seems to menace strife.

    † b. In artistic use.

1598 R. Haydocke tr. Lomazzo i. 23 By Motion, the Painters meane that comelines, and grace in the proportion and disposition of a picture, which is also called the spirite and life of a picture.

    c. Power of movement, capability of moving (as the property of an animate body).

1603 Shakes. Meas. for M. iii. i. 120 This sensible warme motion, to become A kneaded clod. 1667 Milton P.L. ii. 151 Devoid of sense and motion. 1698 Rokeby in Misc. (Surtees No. 37) 62, I was taken with a very great indisposition..my motion in a manner wholly lost..I was necessitated to be carryed up staires.

    d. The action of moving the body in walking, running, etc. Also, manner of walking or stepping; gait, carriage.

1598 Shakes. Merry W. iii. iii. 68 The firme fixture of thy foote would giue an excellent motion to thy gate, in a semi⁓circled Farthingale. 1607–12 Bacon Ess., Beauty (Arb.) 212 Yf it be true that the principall part of Beautie is in decent mocion. 1647 Clarendon Hist. Reb. i. §119 He had in his person, in his aspect and countenance, the appearance of a great man, which he preserved in his gait and motion. 1674 Ibid. xii. §89 The men..must be good horsemen, otherwise they could not obey the quick motion and turns of their horses. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 4 ¶6 Her Air has the Beauty of Motion, and her Look the Force of Language.

    † e. Bodily exertion (tending to fatigue); pl. = bodily exercises. Obs.

1602 Shakes. Ham. iv. vii. 158 When in your motion you are hot and dry. 1605 Bacon Adv. Learn. ii. viii. §3 By Ambages of diets, bathings, annointings, Medicines, motions, and the like, prolong life. 1689 Wood Life 20 Dec. (O.H.S.) III. 318 His violent motion going up Shotover Hill on foot. 1695 Dryden Du Fresnoy's Art Paint. Pref. 50 But that Poet was always in a Foam at his setting out, even before the Motion of the Race had warm'd him.

    3. a. An act of moving the body (or its members); a change of posture; an external or visible movement, a gesture; in bad sense, † a grimace, antic.

1608 Machin Dumb Knt. i. i, In her lookes Each motion hath a speaking maiesty. 1621 Fletcher Wildgoose Chase iii. i. (init.), These Gim-cracks, made of Mops, and Motions. 1667 Milton P.L. viii. 223 Speaking or mute all comliness and grace Attends thee, and each word, each motion formes. 1798 J. Baillie Tryal ii. ii. Plays on Passions (1821) I. 230 [stage-direction] Agnes, making a slight motion of her hand to fasten some pin in her dress. 1804 Wordsw. ‘She was a Phantom of Delight’, Her household motions light and free, And steps of virgin-liberty. 1807–26 S. Cooper First Lines Surg. (ed. 5) 346 By a slight motion of the hand backward. 1842 Tennyson Locksley Hall 22 And her eyes on all my motions with a mute observance hung.

    b. Phrases. to make a motion or motions: to beckon, invite by gestures (to do something). to go through the motions of: to perform by way of simulation gestures or movements such as are used in (some specified action); also fig., to do something only perfunctorily; to pretend; also with ellipsis of ‘of’ and following phr; so going-through-the-motions.

1719 De Foe Crusoe i. (Globe) 207 Upon this my Savage..made a Motion to me to lend him my Sword. 1743 Bulkeley & Cummins Voy. S. Seas 130 As soon as we discover'd them, we made Motions to them to come down. 1816 Scott Old Mort. in Tales My Landlord 1st Ser. II. x. 255 She pressed her handkerchief to her face, sobbed with great vehemence, and either wept, or managed, as Halliday might have said, to go through the motions wonderfully well. 1850 ‘M. Tensas’ Odd Leaves Life Louisiana Swamp Doctor 88 Cuss you! I was only going through the motions; the rifle ain't loaded! 1856 Dickens Dorrit (1857) i. xxxvi. 316 Mr. Dorrit urbanely went through the motions of playing a game at skittles with the Collegian who was the next oldest inhabitant to himself. 1900 ‘Mark Twain’ Man that corrupted Hadleyburg 298 A Government cannot satisfy all these public opinions; it can only go through the motions of trying. This Government does that. It goes through the motions, and they do not succeed. 1933 Auden Poems (ed. 2) 58 Go through the motions of exploring the familiar. 1944 H. Croome You've gone Astray xvi. 166 It was pleasant, undoubtedly pleasant. But both of them felt..that in some fundamental sense they were merely going through the motions. 1958 Spectator 22 Aug. 247/1 Her gaoler is called her secretary and in public goes through the motions of secretaryhood. 1963 Times Lit. Suppl. 11 Jan. 27/4 A mere exasperated going-through-the-motions. 1973 W. J. Burley Death in Salubrious Place i. 24 It's really a diplomatic mission... It would be better if we at least go through the motions of an investigation.

    c. A practised and regulated movement of the body; a step, gesture, or other movement acquired by drill and training (e.g. in Fencing and in the Manège). Also fig.

1601 Shakes. Twel. N. iii. iv. 304 He giues me the stucke in with such a mortall motion that it is ineuitable. 1602 ― Ham. iv. vii. 102 (1604 Qo.) The Scrimures of their nation, He swore had neither motion, guard, nor eye, If you opposd them. 1650 Milton Tenure Kings (ed. 2) 57 For Divines, if we observe them, have thir postures and thir motions no less expertly, and with no less variety then they that practice feats in the Artillery-ground. a 1763 Shenstone Ess. Wks. 1765 II. 141 As a race-horse hurts his motions by condescending to draw in a team. 1809 Roland Fencing 98, I do not..recommend this motion to be adopted by young beginners, as it is apt to give rise to bad habits.

    d. Mil. Each of the several successive actions of which a prescribed exercise of arms consists.

1635 W. Barriffe (title) Military Discipline..together with the exercise of the foot in their motions. 1718 Act New Hampshire in Outing (U.S.) (1895) XXVII. 78/2 To exercise them in motions, the use of arms, and shooting at marks. 1760 New Manual Exerc. (ed. 3) 7 The Officers face to the Left-about in 3 Motions. 1802 C. James Milit. Dict., Manual Exercise..consists in seven motions of the firelock... The motions in the manual exercise will, in future, be performed slower than heretofore, leaving three seconds between each motion. 1859 [see extension 10].

    4. Commotion, agitated condition (e.g. of water); irregular movement, shaking, oscillation (of a ship, a vehicle). † Also, in immaterial applications, a political agitation or commotion; excitement, agitation (of the mind or feelings). See also 6 b.

1387 Trevisa Higden (Rolls) VI. 277 In token of þe mocioun of Ierusalem þat fel þre hondred ȝere afterward. 1423 Coventry Leet Bk. (E.E.T.S.) 45 For-asmoche as dyssencions, stirrynges and mocions haue byn had a-fore tyme..for certen comen. 1535 Coverdale 2 Esdras vi. 14 There shal come a greate mocion [Vulg. commotio], but y⊇ place where thou stondest shal not be moued. 1582 Reg. Privy Council Scot. III. 516 To contene thamselffis peciable..unattempting ony further motioun or trouble. 1644 S. Kem Messengers Prepar. 22 It's good stepping into the poole upon the motion of the waters. 1697 Potter Antiq. Greece i. iv. (1715) 15 The State continu'd all that time unsettl'd, and in continual motions. 1700 Dryden Cymon & Iphig. 30 Love..brushing o'er, adds motion to the pool. 1715 Gay What D'ye Call It ii. viii. Ballad, Cease, cease, thou cruel Ocean, And let my Lover rest; Ah! what's thy troubled Motion To that within my Breast? 1719 De Foe Crusoe ii. (Globe) 592 He spoke this with so much Warmth in his Temper, so much Earnestness and Motion of his Spirits. 1771 T. Percival Ess. (1777) I. 127 The mixtures..seemed to have some little fermentative motion in them. 1798 Coleridge Anc. Mar. v. xxi, But in a minute she 'gan stir, With a short uneasy motion—Backwards and forwards half her length. 1807 Crabbe Par. Reg. iii. 572 His groans now told the motions of the cart. 1864 Dickens Mrs. Lirriper's Leg. i, in All Year Round Extra Christmas No., 1 Dec. 7/1 Not much motion on the whole, though me with a swimming in the head. 1971 E. R. Seary Place Names Avalon Penin. Newfoundland v. 90 Petty Harbour Point, now Motion Head..derived its latest name..from The Motion, the heavy cross sea caused by the irregular and broken ground.

    5. a. pl. Activities or ‘movements’ on the part of a person or body of persons, when pursuing an affair; esp. the movements of an army in the field. (Now rare.) † Formerly also sing.

1674 Clarendon Hist. Reb. xiv. §137 That his coming into Zealand, and his continuance there, was known to Cromwell, with all the particulars of his motion. 1693 Humours Town 24 Whose motions she has always as certain advice of as a Commander has of those of an Enemy. 1705 Stanhope Paraphr. I. 298 Joseph taking the Advantage of the Night to conceal his Motions, went away with Jesus and the Virgin, and dwelt in Egypt. 1769 Robertson Chas. V, iv. Wks. 1813 V. 406 All the emperor's motions, depending on himself alone, were more brisk and better concerted. 1775 Sheridan St. Patr. Day i. ii, My chief business with you is to watch the motions of a rake-helly fellow here. 1828 Scott F.M. Perth viii, He had associated himself to the Smith, whose motions he had watched for the purpose of joining him.

    b. Phr. to make a motion: to begin to move in a particular direction or with some specified purpose.

1633 G. Herbert Temple, Holy Script. ii. i, This verse marks that, and both do make a motion unto a third, that ten leaves off doth lie. 1709 Tatler No. 43 ¶11 The French Army had laid Bridges over the Sharp, and made a Motion as if they intended to pass that River. 1719 De Foe Crusoe ii. (Globe) 604 About an Hour after they made a Motion to attack us again. 1800 E. Hervey Mourtray Fam. III. 204 She made a motion towards the door.

    6. in motion. a. lit. In a state of moving or of being moved; in a state of activity or moving about. Opposed to at rest. (Also † upon motion.) Phr. to put in († into, † to) motion, to set in motion.

1601 Shakes. Twel. N. iii. i. 87 Taste your legges sir, put them to motion. c 1645 Howell Lett. i. xiv. 27 My last unto you was from the Low-Countreys, wher I was in motion to and fro above four months. 1647 Cowley Mistr., Called Inconst. iii, As Men in Motion think the Trees move too. 1659 H. More Immort. Soul (1662) 233 The whole matter of the Universe, and all the parts thereof, are ever upon motion. 1662 Stillingfl. Orig. Sacr. iii. ii. §18 There must be an infinitely powerful..God, who must..put matter into motion. 1774 Goldsm. Nat. Hist. (1776) I. 116 Not a breeze, not a cloud which might be supposed to put all Nature thus into motion. 1836–41 Brande Chem. (ed. 5) 337 All the effects we are about to describe depend..upon electricity in motion, or upon electric currents. 1841 R. Willis Princ. Mechanism 18 Each of which is so connected with the frame-work of the machine, that when in motion every point of it is constrained to move in a certain path.

    b. fig. In a state of activity, excitement, commotion, or the like; occas. † in great motion. to put or set in motion, to set going or working.

1596 Shakes. 1 Hen. IV, i. iii. 226 To keepe his anger still in motion. 1599 ― Hen. V, i. ii. 185 Setting endeuour in continual motion. 1611 ― Cymb. iv. iii. 31 The want is, but to put those Powres in motion, That long to moue. 1673 Temple Ess., Ireland Wks. 1731 I. 110 When Things are once in Motion, Trade begets Trade. 1748 Anson's Voy. ii. vi. 192 Our people..observed.. lights hurrying backwards and forwards in the fort, and other marks of the inhabitants being in great motion. 1772 Ann. Reg. XV. 94/2 We have now in our gaol sixteen rioters from Sudbury, and it is an alarming circumstance that the whole country seems in motion. 1804 G. Rose Diaries (1860) II. 139 My writ was moved for this day,..but my patent was not put in motion. 1855 Prescott Philip II, ii. v. I. 197 They..who set a revolution in motion have not always the power to stop it.

    † 7. a. The action of moving, prompting, or urging (a person to do something, or that something be done); a proposal, suggestion (esp. in phr. to make a motion); an instigation, prompting, or bidding. Obs. in general sense (see 8).

c 1374 Chaucer Troylus iv. 1263 (1291) Þese wordes..Nys but to shewe yow my mocion To fynde vn-to oure helpe þe beste weye. 1412 Hoccleve De Reg. Princ. 4989 To god þi sone make a mocioun, How he þi seruaunt was, mayden marie. 1432–50 tr. Higden (Rolls) VI. 15 Heraclius themperour..errede from the feithe thro the mocioun of Cirus..and of Sergius [L. suadentibus ad hoc Cyro..et Sergio]. 1530 Palsgr. 647/1, I opyn a mater, I make first mocyon of it, or breke a mater to one, je entame. 1539 in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. ii. II. 131 Ye marvelle that I and my brotherne do nott frelye..surrendure upe owre Howse at the mocyone off the Kyngs Commissinars. 1611 Bible Transl. Pref. ¶5 To whom..a sealed booke was deliuered, with this motion, Reade this, I pray thee. 1632 Lithgow Trav. iii. 126 A Traueller..must alwayes at the first motion content these Rascals. 1682 Bunyan Holy War 19 Then they all with one consent said to this Bramble, do thou Reign over us. So he accepted the motion and became the King of the Town of Mansoul. 1720 De Foe Capt. Singleton x. (1840) 174 My friend made a motion to me, that we should desire Captain Wilmot to put us into the sloop. 1773 Life N. Frowde 26 The Mate applauded this Motion, and accordingly we went on shore. 1796 Hist. Ned Evans I. 21 Does she know..that I have been sent for, or was it only a mere motion of your own?

    b. ? Persuasive force. Obs. rare^—1.

a 1591 H. Smith Serm. (1614) 265 If I had the wordes of motion to speake that which might be spoken of this matter, it would fright Iudas himselfe.

    8. spec. a. A proposition or proposal formally made in a deliberative assembly.

1579–80 North Plutarch, Aristides (1595) 364 A generall counsell..in the which Aristides made a motion, that all the cities of Greece should [etc.]. 1605 Nottingham Rec. IV. 278 The mocion of 20 to be added to the Councell shalbe assented vnto. 1692 R. L'Estrange Fables cccix. 271 And upon this Ground, there was a Motion put up, for Changing the Monarchy into a Republique. 1710 Hearne Collect. (O.H.S.) III. 84, I mov'd that it might be bought for the Publick Library. My Motion not listen'd to. 1712 Steele Spect. No. 298 ¶5 The Motion being made, and the Question being put. 1838 Thirlwall Greece IV. xxxiv. 334 This motion was carried. 1880 M{supc}Carthy Own Times III. xliv. 327 The motion was never pressed to a division.

    b. Law. An application made to a court or judge by a party to an action or his counsel, to obtain some rule or order of court necessary to the progress of the action.

a 1726 Gilbert Tenures (1757) 290 Upon motion to the court, it was agreed by the four justices, that [etc.]. 1729 Jacob Law Dict. s.v., In the Courts of Chancery, King's Bench, &c. Motions are made by Barristers and Counsellors at Law, for what concerns their Clients Causes... One ought not to move for several Things in one Motion; and where a Motion hath been denied, the same Matter may not be moved again by another Counsel, without acquainting the Court thereof. 1818 Cruise Digest (ed. 2) I. 289 The motion was refused. 1838 Dickens O. Twist xli, He..quitted the Bar in disgust because he had only one brief and a motion of course in twenty years.

    9. † a. An inward prompting or impulse; an instigation or incitement from within; a desire or inclination (to or towards). Also, a stirring of the soul, an emotion. Obs.

1430–40 Lydg. Bochas ii. iii. (1494) f viij, This body must haue a soule of life To queke the membres with goostly mocions. 1504 Lady Margaret tr. De Imitatione iv. vii. 269 So full of mocyons and concupyscences [L. tam plenus concupiscentiarum motibus]. 1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. ii. §3 Whereas vnto mens inward cogitations, vnto the priuie intents and motions of their harts, religion serueth for a bridle. 1604 Shakes. Oth. i. iii. 335 We haue Reason to coole our raging Motions. 1607–12 Bacon Ess., Nobility (Arb.) 190 He that standeth at a stay when others rise, can hardlye avoyd mocions of envye. 1625 Ibid., Love 449 There is in Mans Nature, a secret Inclination, and Motion, towards loue of others. a 1680 Charnock Sinfuln. & Cure of Evil Th. Wks. (1849) 123 Good motions cherished will spring up in good actions. 1692 Dryden St. Euremont's Ess. 9 Whether he killed his Sons by a motion of Heroick Vertue. 1718 Hickes & Nelson J. Kettlewell iii. cx. 464 He got the Mastery of his Passions, and brought the Motions of his Mind into Subjection to the Law of Christ. 1726 Swift Gulliver iii. i, The natural Love of Life gave me some inward Motions of Joy.

    † b. spec. A working of God in the soul. Obs.

1526 Pilgr. Perf. (W. de W. 1531) 19 That all our actes and dedes be ordred and wrought after the inclynacyon or mocyon of grace. 1548–9 (Mar.) Bk. Com. Prayer, Coll. 1st Sund. in Lent, That..wee maye euer obeye thy Godlye mocions. 1670 Walton Lives i. 37 God..mark'd him with..a blessing of obedience to the motions of his blessed Spirit. 1760–72 H. Brooke Fool of Qual. (1809) II. 158 Abandoned by God, and unvisited by his gracious motions in the heart.

    c. Phr. of († upon) one's own (or † proper) motion = of one's own accord. Now arch. Similarly † of a (specified) motion.

1426 Lydg. De Guil. Pilgr. 19495 And my burdoun I heelde ryghte ffaste..And seyde (off sodeyne moscyoun) ‘Bordoun’ [etc.]. 1462 Paston Lett. II. 112 The parson comyth not of hyse owyn mocyon. 1489 Caxton Faytes of A. i. v. 11 The ladies them self of theyr propre mocion brought theyr jewellis. 1533 Cromwell in Merriman Life & Lett. (1902) I. 370 Ye shall not moche nede to travayle..to procure answer other then of their owne mocyons they shall declare unto you. 1577–87 Holinshed Chron. III. 1211 He also of a godlie motion builded a conuenient roome in Pauls churchyard. 1597 Hooker Eccl. Pol. v. lxxvii. §13 Ye choose not me, but I of mine own voluntarie motion made choice of you. 1652 Needham tr. Selden's Mare Cl. 21 Not at the instance of any one, but of their own proper motions. 1730 Wesley Wks. (1830) I. 12, I do not say you would be too officious should you of your own motions seek out the persons that want your instructions. 1903 Expositor Apr. 268 Christ of his own motion went further afield.

    † 10. A motive, reason; a ground or cause of action. Obs.

1533 Bellenden tr. Livy ii. vii. (S.T.S.) I. 155 Þai war all resolute of ane mynde..; And for þir mociouns [L. proinde] desirit porsena [etc.]. 1549 Compl. Scot. iii. 27 Thai [the English] ar, ande alse hes beene, the special motione of the iniust veyris that hes trublit cristianite thir sex hundretht ȝeir by past. 1657–8 in Burton's Diary (1828) II. 354 They have openly and avowedly trod God's people under foot, on that very motion and account; that they were Protestants.

    11. The involuntary action of the intestines, leading to discharge of their contents; an evacuation of the bowels. Also, chiefly in pl., that which is evacuated; the fæces.

1598 Shakes. Merry W. iii. i. 105 Shall I loose my Doctor? No, hee giues me the Potions and the Motions. 1766 [Anstey] Bath Guide ii. 50 We must swallow a Potion For driving out Wind after every Motion. 1786 R. Willan in Med. Commun. II. 118 He had..two or three loose motions. 1843 R. J. Graves Syst. Clin. Med. x. 111 Those who are dissatisfied with less than two or three motions in the day. 1871 G. H. Napheys Prev. & Cure Dis. iii. ix. 995 The motions of the bowels present a pale drab or clay color. 1897 Allbutt's Syst. Med. III. 737 In sprue the motions are generally very frothy.

    12. Mus. † a. Movement (quick or slow); tempo.

1674 Playford Skill Mus. i. x. 33 This Mood..is of two Motions, the one slow, the other more swift. 1727–52 Chambers Cycl. s.v., The motion, in songs composed in double time, differs from that in those in triple time. It is the motion that distinguishes courants and sarabands, from gavots, borees, chacones, &c.

    b. (a) The melodic progression of a single part with reference to the intervals taken by it. See conjunct a. 6, disjunct a. 3. (b) The progression of two or more parts with relation to each other. For parallel, direct, similar, oblique, contrary motion, see those adjs.

1731, etc. [see contrary a. 5 b]. 1811, etc. [see oblique a. 6].

    † 13. a. A puppet-show. Obs.

1589 Nashe Pasquill & Marforius 12 Pompes, Pagents, Motions, Maskes. 1599 B. Jonson Ev. Man out of Hum. ii. iii, They say, there's a new Motion of the city of Niniueh, with Ionas, and the whale, to be seene at Fleet-bridge. 1611 Shakes. Wint. T. iv. iii. 103 Then hee compast a Motion of the Prodigall sonne. 1677 Lond. Gaz. No. 1170/4 All Persons exposing publickly any Shows, Motions, Stage-Playes, or strange Sights. 1678 Norwich Court-Bks. 21 Dec. (1905) 152 Oliver Batt licensed to show a motion called ‘Arte and Vartue’.

    b. A puppet. Also applied contemptuously to a person. Obs.

1591 Shakes. Two Gent. ii. i. 100 Oh excellent motion; oh exceeding Puppet. 1601 B. Jonson Poetaster iii. iv, What's he, with the halfe-armes there, that salutes vs out of his cloke, like a motion? 1609 ― Sil. Wom. iii. iv, Did you thinke you had married a statue? or a motion, onely? 1623 Fletcher Rule a Wife ii. i, Goe, find me out this man, and let me see him, If he be that motion that you tell me of, And make no more noise, I shall entertain him. 1633 Marmion Antiquary i. i, This travelling motion has been abroad in quest of strange fashions. 1663 Killigrew Parson's Wedd. iv. i, One that never..sleepes in a whole skin, but is taken to pieces like a Motion, as if she were too long. 1689 Swift Ode to Sir W. Temple vii, As in a theatre the ignorant fry, Because the cords escape their eye, Wonder to see the motions fly.

    14. A piece of mechanism which itself moves, or which sets other pieces moving or modifies their motion; † the movement n. of a watch. Also fig.
    perpetual motion: see perpetual a. 1 b. parallel motion: see parallel a.

1605 Daniel Philotas iii. ii. D 2 b, This great motion of a state we see Doth turne on many wheeles. a 1626 Bacon New Atl. (1900) 36 Engines for Multiplying and Enforcing of Windes, to set also on going diverse Motions. Ibid. 43 Wee have divers curious Clocks; And other like Motions of Returne: And some Perpetuall Motions. 1678 Lond. Gaz. No. 1315/4 A silver Watch with several motions. 1682 True Protest. Mercury No. 151. 2/2 Two silver Watches, the one a large one with a rising motion. 1727–41 Chambers Cycl., Motion is also used among mechanics, for the inside of a watch, &c. more commonly called movement. 1793 W. & S. Jones Catal. Optical, etc. Instr. 2 Reflecting telescopes..with rack-work motions. 1894 Times 23 Mar. 4/6 The engine-driver..might know whether the line was clear even..while he was oiling the motion.

    15. attrib. and Comb., as (sense 8 b) motion-day; (sense 14) motion-maker, motion wheel; motion-bar, a guide-bar in a steam-engine; motion-block (see quot.); † motion-man, the worker or exhibitor of a puppet-show; motion photography, the photographing of moving subjects, later known as cinematography; motion picture, a ‘moving picture’; a cinema film; also attrib.; motion sickness, nausea induced by motion; travel sickness; motion study, the study of the movements necessary for the most effective and least tiring method of performing a task; also attrib.; motion-work, the mechanism for moving the hands of a watch or clock.

1871 Routledge's Ev. Boy's Ann. Sept. 534 Flat guides, called *motion-bars, or guide-bars.

1879 Cassell's Techn. Educ. II. 74 The *motion-block which forms a connection between the piston-rod and connecting-rod. 1887 G. C. V. Holmes Steam Engine 214 The guides or motion blocks..which prevent the end of the piston rod from being deflected as the connecting rod assumes an angular position.

1904 E. Manson Builders of our Law (ed. 2) 229 *Motion-day at the Rolls was a scene to be remembered.

1818 Bentham Ch. Eng. 118 Of these same *motion-makers, the third..is Earl Nelson.

1614 B. Jonson Barth. Fair i. v, A Puppet-play..that I writ for the *motion man. a 1680 Butler Rem. (1759) I. 102 When truly all their Feats have been As well perform'd by Motion-men.

1912 F. A. Talbot Moving Pictures xxviii. 312 *Motion photography as an educational force. 1913 Chambers's Jrnl. Sept. 688/1 In the early days the long exposure necessary rendered motion-photography well-nigh impossible.

[1891 Leisure Hour Aug. 711/1 A highly composite mechanism which is to be known as the ‘kinetograph’, or *motion-picture.] 1896 Boston Even. Transcript 7 Nov. 16/4 The cinematographe motion picture programme will be augmented daily. 1913 F. A. Talbot Pract. Cinematogr. 129 Plate, The first motion-pictures of an opening flower, taken at the Marey Institute. The complete opening of a convolvulus is shown in fifteen pictures. 1915 Wodehouse Something Fresh v. 117 The maiden in distress..was merely earning the salary paid her by some motion-picture firm. 1917 H. Garland in Ade Lett. (1973) 69 What a change is indicated in a few words. The motor car, the telephone,..and the Motion Picture Theater! 1923 R. D. Paine Comr. Rolling Ocean vii. 112 There were a few stores, a church,..but not a solitary motion-picture theater. 1929 M. R. Werner Bryan 264 Between 1916 and 1919 Bryan was engaged in negotiations for a motion picture on the curse of drink, of which he was to be the star. 1934 Discovery June 171/1 Fifty thousand feet of standard motion-picture film will be exposed. 1952 Manch. Guardian Weekly 5 June 7/2 The nine judges of the United States Supreme Court handed down a unanimous decision this week that exerts an historic restraint on the censorship of motion pictures. 1972 D. Shipman Great Movie Stars: Internat. Yrs. p. v, The coming of Sound to the motion-picture medium killed it as a means of almost effortless international communication. 1973 L. Snelling Heresy i. i. 8 This was a visual generation and the motion-picture its natural medium.

1942 Sci. News Let. 12 Dec. 378/1 Air sickness can be prevented or cured if you know how. So can sea⁓sickness and the other kinds of *motion sickness that attack men lurching over battlefields in tanks and jeeps. 1953 A. Smith Blind White Fish in Persia x. 189 We had been asked to investigate the effectiveness of Kwells pills against the motion sickness occasionally experienced in riding camels. 1971 Jrnl. Gen. Psychol. LXXXV. 87 (heading) A psychophysiological test for motion-sickness susceptibility. 1973 Times 1 Aug. 6/1 Still suffering from the motion sickness which has put their mission behind schedule, the three Skylab astronauts today started to tidy up the orbiting laboratory.

1911 F. B. Gilbreth (title) *Motion study. Ibid. p. v, The phrase ‘Motion Study’ explains itself. The aim of motion study is to find and perpetuate the scheme of perfection... Standardizing the trades is the world's most important work to-day, and motion study is the first factor in that work. 1918 C. S. Myers Present-Day Applications of Psychol. 17 Yet in regard to industry, the need for good method and the need for systematic training are only just beginning to be realised, as is instanced in the following illustrations of what is now technically known as ‘motion-study’. 1933 M. S. Viteles Industrial Psychol. xx. 436 In the practical application of motion study techniques the emphasis is upon the ease of work, upon human and not primarily upon economic efficiency. 1960 M. Spark Ballad of Peckham Rye ii. 15 Motion study did marvels in the factory.

1764 Ann. Reg. i. 79/1 Two *motion wheels [in a watch].

1795 J. Aikin Manchester 311 They..excel in what is called *motion-work, such as dial wheels, locking springs [etc.]. 1884 F. J. Britten Watch & Clockm. 179 In turret clocks, where the striking is not discharged by the motion work.

▪ II. motion, v.
    (ˈməʊʃən)
    Also 5 mocyon, 6 moshion, -yon, mocion.
    [f. motion n.]
    † 1. a. trans. To propose, move, bring forward. Const. to, unto. Obs.

1505 in 10th Rep. Hist. MSS. Comm. App. v. 391 Anye discord..or ingerous wordes or langauge spokin, movid or moshioned betwixte anny brother or neighboure. 1535 in Lett. Suppress. Monasteries (Camden) 77 Your humble oratour, disquietly vexede without cause or any pretenced occasion motioned of your said oratours partie. 1577 F. de L'isle's Legendarie D iij, Which was by motioning a double alliance. 1581 Savile Tacitus' Hist. iii. lxx. (1591) 157 Till Vitellius began first to motion a parle. 1586 Hooker Suppl. Irish Chron. 136/2 in Holinshed, Tirlough..making the like sutes as his wife before his comming had motioned vnto his lordship. 1611 Bible Transl. Pref. ¶2 It was made a capitall crime, once to motion the making of a new Law for the abrogating of an old. 1635 J. Hayward tr. Biondi's Banish'd Virg. 169, I..never entertained a thought of motioning love unto you, otherwise than in a lawfull and honourable way. 1648 Gage West Ind. xviii. (1655) 136 This Fryer hath writ of this Countrey, and hath gone to Spain to the Court to motion the conquering of it. 1666 Pepys Diary 8 June, Creed and I down the river as low as Sir W. Warren's, with whom I did motion a business that may be of profit to me. 1714 New Hampshire Prov. Papers (1868) II. 662 His Honour..often motioned it to the Council to be gratified. 1721 J. Windham Let. 5 Jan. in Pall Mall G. (1891) 25 June 3/2 A bill is ordered to be brought in to make it felony for [etc.]... Motioned by Sir Joseph Jekyll, seconded by H. Walpole and others. 1802 C. James Milit. Dict., To motion a thing, to propose it in a military or civil meeting.

    b. with inf. or clause as object. Obs.

1524 Dk. Suffolk in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. iii. I. 331 So it is as I am enformed, vpon malice it is mocioned vnto your Grace to take into the Kingis handes..the Pryory of Conyssed [etc.]. 1536 Stafford in Lett. Suppress. Monasteries (Camden) 122 Where I desyred Mr. Bryan to be so good master unto me as to moshion unto your mastership to helpe me to the gift of the priorie of Fynshed. a 1648 Ld. Herbert Hen. VIII (1683) 363 One Tempse..who motion'd that they all should Petition the King to take his Queen again. 1676 Newton in Rigaud Corr. Sci. Men (1841) II. 395, I am now to return you thanks..for motioning to get the experiment in controversy tried before the Royal Society. 1676 W. Row Contn. Blair's Autobiog. x. (1848) 271 They motioned in the Committee that John Hamilton should be general-major of the army. 1688 Col. Rec. Pennsylv. I. 233 Samll Richardson..motion'd that The order of This board..was Contrary to Law. 1823 W. Faux Mem. Days Amer. 323 Another rising to say, ‘I motion, that as some cannot command money they should bring vegetables’.

    c. To propose or recommend (a person) for employment, or as a partner in marriage. Obs.

1577 Holinshed Chron. II. 553 Hugh le Brun..(vnto whom Queene Isabell..had beene promised in mariage before that King Iohn was motioned vnto hir..). a 1641 Bp. R. Montagu Acts & Mon. (1642) 282 He refused the Kings daughter in marriage, being motioned to him, and married that slave. 1641 Hinde J. Bruen vii. 24 A daughter of one M. Hardware,..was commended to the Father, and so by him motioned unto his Sonne. a 1694 M. Robinson Autobiog. (1856) 9 Our young student..being motioned to the lord general Fairfax as a page.

    d. To approach with a request; to petition or suggest to (a person). Obs.

1476 J. Paston in P. Lett. III. 158 John Redwe mocyond hym onys myche aftyr thys intent. 1528 Abbess of Wilton Let. to Wolsey (P.R.O.), I have oft tymes mocioned my systers to be reclused within oure monastery. 1538 in Ellis Orig. Lett. Ser. iii. III. 218 And forasmoche as I found your Lordeschipp gudd Lorde unto me in my [former] suyte..I am now the bolder to motyon yowr Lordeschippe for my neybors of Oxford. 1544 Bale Chron. Sir J. Oldcastle Pref. 7 b, This noble lorde Cobham with certen other more, mocyoned the kynge at Westmynstre..that it were verye commodyouse to Englande yf the Romyshe Bysshoppes auctorite extended no forther than the Occeane see.

    e. In pass.: To have an inward motion, be tempted. Obs.

a 1591 H. Smith Serm. (1637) 790 Marke whensoever thou art motioned to evill, if it doe not promise thee some goodesse to come of it.

    † 2. intr. or absol. To make a proposal, bring forward a motion, offer a plan. Obs. rare.

1509 in Mem. Hen. VII (Rolls) 437 And that they that had so moschyonyd unto the kynge hys lord had no good ground nor reson so for to do. 1539 Latimer Let. to Cromwell 17 Jan. Remains (Parker Soc.) 413, I doubt not, but the king's highness..will remember his poor subjects now in Lent as touching white meat, of the which I now motion unto your lordship, to the intent it may come betime among them. 1560 J. Daus tr. Sleidane's Comm. 461 The Quene motioned for the restoring of abbey landes. 1599 A. M. tr. Gabelhouer's Bk. Physicke 352/1 [A prescription] When anye Membre is so extreamlye inflamed that it wexeth blacke, and the Chirurgiane beginneth to motion of the extirpation therof. 1667 Milton P.L. ix. 229 Well hast thou motion'd, wel thy thoughts imployed How we might [etc.]. 1694 New Hampshire Prov. Papers (1868) II. 115 The Lieut. Governor motioned to this Board of a citadel to be built in this fourt. 1839 Carlyle Chartism i. 112 For what end at all are men..sent to St. Stephen's,..kept talking, struggling, motioning and counter-motioning?

    3. trans. To direct or guide by a sign, or significant gesture or movement. Const. to with inf.; also with adv. or advb. phr.

1787 F. Burney Diary 1 Nov., When I produced it [a present], she motioned it away with her hand. 1820 L. Hunt Indicator No. 43 (1822) I. 340 She motioned him..to be silent. 1838 Dickens Nich. Nick. i, Nickleby..motioning them all out of the room, embraced his wife and children. 1869 A. W. Ward tr. Curtius' Hist. Greece II. ii. iv. 5 It was their duty..to motion off any one who approached the gods of the state without the right of so doing. 1895 Scully Kafir Stories 158 Whitson sat down on a stone, and motioned his companion to do the same.

    4. intr. a. To make a motion or movement as if intending to do something. ? Obs.

1747 Richardson Clarissa (1811) II. xxxiv. 248 Snatching my hand from my brother who was insolently motioning to give it to Mr. Solmes. 1754 ― Grandison VI. xlii. 262, I..motioned to quit the hall for the parlour. 1800 H. Wells Constantia Neville (ed. 2) II. 79, I..requested he would be seated. This he declined, motioning at the same time to go away. 1803 M. Charlton Wife & Mistress IV. 187 She..motioned to depart.

    b. To make a significant movement or gesture for the purpose of directing or guiding.

1788 C. Smith Emmeline (1816) IV. 216 Lady Adelina.., still motioning with her hand for Fitz Edward to leave her, moved on. 1802 Mrs. Radcliffe Gaston de Blondeville Posth. Wks. 1826 II. 377 The King motioned with his arm; the Archbishop made a sign in the air. 1856 Mrs. Browning Aur. Leigh viii. 81 ‘Will you sit?’ I asked, and motioned to a chair. 1897 Hall Caine Christian x, She..motioned to him to stand by her side. 1899 T. M. Ellis Three Cats-eye Rings 130 Clayside motioned to the men to cover in the dead.

    5. trans. To impart motion to.

1929 Bridges Test. Beauty i. 24 Wisdom..choosing to be call'd Athena daughter of Zeus Motion'd the marble to her living grace.

Oxford English Dictionary