Etymology From Middle English motour (“controller, prime mover; God”), from Latin mōtor (“mover; that which moves something”), from mōtō (“to set in motion”).
1
A machine or device that converts other energy forms into mechanical energy, or imparts motion.
The door can close by itself because there's a small motor built into it.
2
A motor car, or automobile, sometimes extended to other powered vehicles, such as goods vehicles.
Now colloquial outside attributive use
Nice motor!
Motor insurance is expensive for youngsters.
4 more examples
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:
3
Figuratively A source of power for something; an inspiration; a driving force.
4
Any protein capable of converting chemical energy into mechanical work.
Etymology From Middle English motour (“controller, prime mover; God”), from Latin mōtor (“mover; that which moves something”), from mōtō (“to set in motion”).
1
Biology, Natural sciences Relating to the ability to move.
She has excellent motor skills.
2
Nautical, Transport 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.1915 June, “Many Yachts to Go in Commission”, in The American Marine Engineer:
Etymology From Middle English motour (“controller, prime mover; God”), from Latin mōtor (“mover; that which moves something”), from mōtō (“to set in motion”).
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.1944 November and December, T. F. Cameron, “Motor and Cartage Working”, in Railway Magazine, pages 336–337:
1 more example
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 661946 April 22, Bobby Troup, “(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66”, in New Juke Box Hits, performed by Chuck Berry, published March 1961, side 2, track 2:
2
Aeronautics, Aerospace, Aviation, Business, Engineering, Natural sciences, Physical sciences 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.
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".2023 November 15, Ian Prosser talks to Stefanie Foster, “A healthy person is a more productive person”, in RAIL, number 996, page 34: