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Motion Very Common

Motion has 10 different meanings across 2 categories:

Noun · Verb

Definitions
Noun
1

the use of movements (especially of the hands) to communicate familiar or prearranged signals

"The detective nodded toward his partner, confirming their plan with a subtle motion before approaching the suspect."

2

a natural event that involves a change in the position or location of something

"The sudden motion of the falling tree branch startled everyone standing nearby."

3

a change of position that does not entail a change of location

"the reflex motion of his eyebrows revealed his surprise"

"movement is a sign of life"

"an impatient move of his hand"

"gastrointestinal motility"

4

a state of change

"they were in a state of steady motion"

5

a formal proposal for action made to a deliberative assembly for discussion and vote

"he made a motion to adjourn"

"she called for the question"

6

the act of changing location from one place to another

"police controlled the motion of the crowd"

"the movement of people from the farms to the cities"

"his move put him directly in my path"

7

an optical illusion of motion produced by viewing a rapid succession of still pictures of a moving object

"the cinema relies on apparent motion"

"the succession of flashing lights gave an illusion of movement"

8

A state of progression from one place to another.

"The motion of the train through the tunnel felt like it was happening in slow motion."

In plain English: Motion is the act of moving from one place to another.

"The security alarm was triggered by an unauthorized motion in the hallway."

Usage: Use "motion" to describe the physical act of moving or the state of being in motion, such as when a car travels down the road. Do not use it to mean a formal proposal or request for action, which is correctly spelled "motion" but often confused with "movement" in casual speech.

Verb
1

show, express or direct through movement

"He gestured his desire to leave"

2

To gesture indicating a desired movement.

"She made a sweeping motion with her hand to indicate that he should follow her out of the room."

In plain English: To move from one place to another.

"Please make sure to file a motion with the court before the hearing begins."

Usage: Use motion as a verb when you physically gesture with your hand to signal someone to move or act, such as waving at a taxi driver. Do not use it to describe the abstract concept of making a formal request, which belongs in legal contexts rather than everyday speech.

Example Sentences
"The security alarm was triggered by an unauthorized motion in the hallway." noun
"The traffic light changed to red with a sudden motion of the lever." noun
"I made a gentle motion toward the door to invite him inside." noun
"His constant fidgeting and nervous motion kept everyone awake during the meeting." noun
"Please make sure to file a motion with the court before the hearing begins." verb
Related Terms
wave movement move dance flow run swim rub walk shake drive twist moving roll pull fly fall stop upwash entrainment
Antonyms
stillness
Broader Terms (hypernyms)
visual communication happening change state proposal optical illusion communicate
Narrower Terms (hyponyms)
sign gesticulation beck facial expression flourish high-five previous question shrug wave V sign nod bow sign of the cross curtsy crustal movement approach passing deflection bending change of location jitter periodic motion heave recoil seek squeeze throw turning twist undulation wobble whirl Brownian movement abduction adduction agitation body English circumduction disturbance fetal movement flit gesture headshake inclination inversion jerk kick kneel lurch eye movement opening prostration reach reciprocation reclining retraction retroflection rotation shutting sitting snap squat sweep toss vibration waver standing straddle stroke wiggle eurythmy shaking perpetual motion precession stream progress locomotion travel pursuit rise descent swing return slide slippage flow crawl speed translation shift haste maneuver migration wink exsert clap applaud bless cross oneself shake beckon

Origin

The word "motion" traveled into English from the Anglo-Norman and Middle French languages, where it was borrowed from Latin. Originally meaning movement or action, it is ultimately related to the ancient root for "to move."

Rhyming Words
ion aion tion zion pion sion gion bion fion lion dion cion rion orion obion axion deion trion diion arion
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