motor

noun

1. A machine or device that converts other energy forms into mechanical energy, or imparts motion.
2. A motor car, or automobile, sometimes extended to other powered vehicles, such as goods vehicles.

   “Nice motor!”

   “Motor insurance is expensive for youngsters.”

   “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.”

   “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, [...]”

   “'However, you go and try your luck and see how you like it.' With that he flung himself into his motor and was off.”

3. (figuratively)A source of power for something; an inspiration; a driving force.
4. Any protein capable of converting chemical energy into mechanical work.
5. (archaic, poetic)The controller or prime mover of the universe; God.
6. (slang)The fermenting mass of fruit that is the basis of pruno, or "prison wine".

adj

1. (not-comparable)Relating to the ability to move.

   “She has excellent motor skills.”

2. (not-comparable)Propelled by an internal combustion engine (as opposed to a steam engine or turbine).

   “A motor yacht for its size has about 30 per cent more accommodations than a steamer of the same size.”

verb

1. (dated)To make a journey by motor vehicle; to drive.

   “On Saturday we motored down to Plymouth.”

   “The practice used to be for such consignments to be loaded as tranships to the large centre, but this involved rather slow transits, and to a considerable extent these consignments are now motored to the large centre, and in the average case the transit is improved by a day.”

   “Well, if you ever plan to motor west / Jack, take my way, it's the highway that's the best / Get your kicks on Route 66”

2. (transitive)To rotate a jet engine or turboprop using the engine's starter, without introducing fuel into the engine.

   “During startup, the engine should be motored for 20 to 30 seconds to allow the shafts to straighten out, as they may have become bowed under their own weight while the airplane was sitting on the ground.”

3. (figuratively, informal)To progress at a brisk pace.

   “Sales were slow at first, but now things are really motoring.”

   “More recently, ORR has been developing its knowledge and skills in cyber and digital security. Prosser says this is really "motoring".”

4. (slang)To leave.

   “I gotta motor.”

name

1. (alt-of, alternative)Alternative form of Mator (“Samoyedic language”).