Motor Meaning
/ˈməʊtə/Definition, CEFR level A2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA machine or device that converts other energy forms into mechanical energy, or imparts motion.
nounA motor car, or automobile, sometimes extended to other powered vehicles, such as goods vehicles.
Sentence Examples
The motor started to run.
There is nothing the matter with the motor.
An electric motor is used to pump the water.
CEFR Practice Quiz
The electric fan's ____ makes a soft humming sound when you turn it on.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The small boat is powered by a powerful electric ____ that allows it to move quietly through the water without disturbing the fish.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *m(y)ewh₁-der. Proto-Italic *moweō Latin moveō Proto-Indo-European *-tōr Proto-Italic *-tōr Latin -tor Latin mōtorder. Middle English motour English motor From Middle English motour (“controller, prime mover; God”), from Latin mōtor (“mover; that which moves something”), from mōtō (“to set in motion”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"It was flood-tide along Fifth Avenue; motor, brougham, and victoria swept by on the glittering current; pretty women glanced out from limousine and tonneau; young men of his own type, silk-hatted, frock-coated, the crooks of their walking sticks tucked up under their left arms, passed on the Park side."
— 1907 August, Robert W[illiam] Chambers, “His Own People”, in The Younger Set, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC, page 6:
"Every since the age of six Troy Belknap of New York had embarked for Europe every June on the fastest steamer of one of the most expensive lines. With his family he had descended at the dock from a large noiseless motor, had kissed his father good-bye, turned back to shake hands with the chauffeur (a particular friend), and trotted up the gang-plank behind his mother's maid, [...]"
— 1918, Edith Wharton, chapter I, in The Marne, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton and Company, →OCLC, page 1:
"'However, you go and try your luck and see how you like it.' With that he flung himself into his motor and was off."
— 1929, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, When the World Screamed:
"The screeching of brakes, the monotonous blare of motor horns, the clip-clip of shoes on slippery pavements, the rustling of wet mackintoshes were all part of the great metropolis."
— 1936, F.J. Thwaites, chapter XXII, in The Redemption, Sydney: H. John Edwards, published 1940, page 214:
"Goods motors for which "A" licences are held are free to operate anywhere, to pick up the most remunerative traffic, and the points between which the best back loads are available."
— 1944 November and December, T. F. Cameron, “Motor and Cartage Working”, in Railway Magazine, page 338:
Explore More A2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The electric fan's ____ makes a soft humming sound when you turn it on.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The small boat is powered by a powerful electric ____ that allows it to move quietly through the water without disturbing the fish.