MOTOR

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does motor mean? 

• MOTOR (noun)
  The noun MOTOR has 2 senses:

1. machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion

2. a nonspecific agent that imparts motion

  Familiarity information: MOTOR used as a noun is rare.

• MOTOR (adjective)
  The adjective MOTOR has 2 senses:

1. conveying information to the muscles from the CNS

2. causing or able to cause motion

  Familiarity information: MOTOR used as an adjective is rare.

• MOTOR (verb)
  The verb MOTOR has 1 sense:

1. travel or be transported in a vehicle

  Familiarity information: MOTOR used as a verb is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• MOTOR (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("motor" is a kind of...):

machine (any mechanical or electrical device that transmits or modifies energy to perform or assist in the performance of human tasks)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "motor"):

electric motor (a motor that converts electricity to mechanical work)

engine (motor that converts thermal energy to mechanical work)

stepper; stepping motor (a motor (especially an electric motor) that moves or rotates in small discrete steps)

Derivation:

motor (travel or be transported in a vehicle)

motor (causing or able to cause motion)

motorize (equip with armed and armored motor vehicles)

motorize (equip with a motor)

motorize (equip with a motor vehicle)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A nonspecific agent that imparts motion

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural objects (not man-made)

Context example:

happiness is the aim of all men and the motor of all action

Hypernyms ("motor" is a kind of...):

agent (an active and efficient cause; capable of producing a certain effect)

Derivation:

motor (causing or able to cause motion)

• MOTOR (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Conveying information to the muscles from the CNS

Synonyms:

centrifugal; motor

Context example:

motor nerves

Similar:

efferent; motorial (of nerves and nerve impulses; conveying information away from the CNS)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Causing or able to cause motion

Synonyms:

motive; motor

Context example:

motor energy

Similar:

causative (producing an effect)

Derivation:

motor (machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion)

motor (a nonspecific agent that imparts motion)

• MOTOR (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they motor    ... he / she / it motors   
Past simple: motored   
Past participle: motored   
-ing form: motoring   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Travel or be transported in a vehicle

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

drive; motor

Context example:

They motored to London for the theater

Hypernyms (to "motor" is one way to...):

carry; transport (move while supporting, either in a vehicle or in one's hands or on one's body)

go; locomote; move; travel (change location; move, travel, or proceed, also metaphorically)

"Motor" entails doing...:

ride (be carried or travel on or in a vehicle)

Verb group:

drive; take (proceed along in a vehicle)

Domain category:

driving (the act of controlling and steering the movement of a vehicle or animal)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP

Sentence example:

They motor up the hill

Derivation:

motor (machine that converts other forms of energy into mechanical energy and so imparts motion)

motoring (the act of driving an automobile)

motorist (someone who drives (or travels in) an automobile)

 Context examples 

However, research has also suggested that this brain area contributes to a host of non-motor functions.

(New Findings Reveal Surprising Role of the Cerebellum in Reward and Social Behaviors, National Institutes of Health)

They also found that flies lacking the Arc gene form fewer connections between their motor neurons.

(Memory gene goes viral, National Institutes of Health)

Motor neuron diseases are sometimes inherited.

(Motor neuron disease, NCI Dictionary)

Other factors like body mass index and vascular disease had no effect on the relationship between the brain lesions, daily activity, and motor function.

(Physical Activity May Reduce Age-Related Movement Problems, NIH)

Tpx2 interacts with the microtubule motor protein Xklp2 and also activates the Aurora A mitotic kinase, required for spindle formation.

(Mitotic Spindle Regulation Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

Moreover, these patients developed motor and cognitive disabilities at a younger age than the patients who had no rimmed lesions.

(Smoldering spots in the brain may signal severe multiple sclerosis, National Institutes of Health)

Biological toxins often disrupt nervous function, particularly the action of motor neurons.

(Botulin Pathway, NCI Thesaurus/BIOCARTA)

The quality of the person's ADL performance is assessed by rating the effort, efficiency, safety, and independence of 16 ADL motor and 20 ADL process skill items.

(Assessment of Motor and Process Skills, NCI Thesaurus)

Often, damage is sustained from overstretching or motor vehicle accidents.

(Brachial Plexus Injury, NCI Thesaurus)

The 11th cranial nerve, which sends motor impulses to the muscles of the upper thorax, back, shoulders, and pharynx.

(Accessory Nerve, NCI Thesaurus)