Mo"tion , v. t. 1. To
direct or invite by a motion, as of
the hand or
head; as, to
motion one to a seat.
2. To propose; to move. [Obs.]
I want friends to motion such a matter.
Burton.
Mo"tion , v. i. [imp. & p. p. Motioned (?);
p. pr. & vb. n.
Motioning.]
1. To make a significant movement or gesture, as with the hand; as, to
motion to one to take a seat.
2. To make proposal; to offer plans. [Obs.]
Shak.
Mo"tion (?), n. [F., fr. L. motio, fr.
movere, motum, to move. See Move.]
1. The act, process, or state of changing place or position; movement; the passing of a body from one place or position to another, whether voluntary or involuntary; -- opposed to
rest.
Speaking or mute, all comeliness and grace
attends thee, and each word, each motion, forms.
Milton.
2. Power of, or capacity for, motion.
Devoid of sense and motion.
Milton.
3. Direction of movement; course; tendency; as, the motion of the planets is from west to
east.
In
our proper motion we ascend.
Milton.
4. Change in the relative position of the parts of
anything; action of a machine
with respect to the relative movement of its parts.
This is the great wheel to which the clock owes its motion.
Dr. H.
More. 5. Movement of the mind, desires, or passions; mental act, or impulse to any action; internal activity.
Let a good man obey every good motion rising in his heart,
knowing that every such motion proceeds from God.
South. 6. A proposal or
suggestion looking to action or
progress; esp., a formal proposal made in a deliberative assembly;
as, a motion to adjourn.
Yes, I agree,
and thank you for your
motion.
Shak.
7. (Law) An application made to a court or judge orally in open court. Its object is to
obtain an order or rule
directing some act to be done in favor of the applicant. Mozley
& W.
8. (Mus.) Change of pitch in successive sounds, whether in the same part
or in groups of
parts.
The independent motions of
different parts sounding together constitute counterpoint.
Grove. &fist; Conjunct motion is that by single degrees of the scale. Contrary motion is that when
parts move in opposite directions. Disjunct motion is motion by
skips. Oblique motion is that when one
part is stationary while another moves. Similar or direct motion is that when
parts move in the same direction.
9. A puppet show
or puppet. [Obs.]
What motion's this? the model of Nineveh?
Beau. & Fl. &fist; Motion, in mechanics, may be simple
or compound. Simple motions are: (a) straight translation, which, if of indefinite duration, must be reciprocating. (b) Simple rotation, which may be either
continuous or
reciprocating, and when
reciprocating is called oscillating. (c)
Helical, which, if of indefinite duration, must be reciprocating. Compound motion consists
of combinations of any of the simple motions.
Center of motion, Harmonic motion, etc. See under Center, Harmonic, etc. -- Motion block (Steam Engine), a crosshead. -- Perpetual motion
(Mech.), an incessant motion conceived
to be attainable by a machine supplying its own motive forces independently of any action from without.
Syn. -- See Movement.
Hear it pronounced