motion

[ moh-shuh n ]
/ ˈmoʊ ʃən /

noun

verb (used with object)

to direct by a significant motion or gesture, as with the hand: to motion a person to a seat.

verb (used without object)

to make a meaningful motion, as with the hand; gesture; signal: to motion to someone to come.

Idioms for motion

    go through the motions, to do something halfheartedly, routinely, or as a formality or façade.
    in motion, in active operation; moving: The train was already in motion when he tried to board it.

Origin of motion

1350–1400; Middle English mocio(u)n < Latin mōtiōn- (stem of mōtiō), equivalent to mōt(us) (past participle of movēre to move) + -iōn- -ion

synonym study for motion

1. Motion, move, movement refer to change of position in space. Motion denotes change of position, either considered apart from, or as a characteristic of, something that moves; usually the former, in which case it is often a somewhat technical or scientific term: perpetual motion. The chief uses of move are founded upon the idea of moving a piece, in chess or a similar game, for winning the game, and hence the word denotes any change of position, condition, or circumstances for the accomplishment of some end: a shrewd move to win votes. Movement is always connected with the person or thing moving, and is usually a definite or particular motion: the movements of a dance. 3. bearing, carriage.

OTHER WORDS FROM motion

Words nearby motion

mothproof, mothy, moti, motif, motile, motion, motion capture, motion picture, motion sickness, motion study, motion work

British Dictionary definitions for go through the motions (1 of 2)

Motion
/ (ˈməʊʃən) /

noun

Sir Andrew. born 1952, British poet and biographer; his collections include Pleasure Steamers (1978) and Public Property (2002): poet laureate (1999–2009)

British Dictionary definitions for go through the motions (2 of 2)

motion
/ (ˈməʊʃən) /

noun

verb

(when tr, may take a clause as object or an infinitive) to signal or direct (a person) by a movement or gesture

Derived forms of motion

motional, adjective

Word Origin for motion

C15: from Latin mōtiō a moving, from movēre to move

Medical definitions for go through the motions

motion
[ mō′shən ]

n.

The act or process of changing position or place.
The manner in which the body or a body part moves.

Idioms and Phrases with go through the motions (1 of 2)

go through the motions

Do something perfunctorily, or merely pretend to do it. For example, The team is so far behind that they're just going through the motions, or She didn't really grieve at his death; she just went through the motions. [c. 1800]

Idioms and Phrases with go through the motions (2 of 2)

motion

see go through the motions; set in motion; set the wheels in motion.