motile

[ moht-l, moh-til ]
/ ˈmoʊt l, ˈmoʊ tɪl /

adjective

Biology. moving or capable of moving spontaneously: motile cells; motile spores.

Origin of motile

1860–65; < Latin mōt(us) (past participle of movēre to move, set in motion) + -ile

OTHER WORDS FROM motile

Example sentences from the Web for motile

British Dictionary definitions for motile

motile
/ (ˈməʊtaɪl) /

adjective

capable of moving spontaneously and independently

noun

psychol a person whose mental imagery strongly reflects movement, esp his own

Derived forms of motile

motility (məʊˈtɪlɪtɪ), noun

Word Origin for motile

C19: from Latin mōtus moved, from movēre to move

Medical definitions for motile

motile
[ mōtl, mōtīl′ ]

adj.

Moving or having the power to move spontaneously.
Of or relating to mental imagery that arises primarily from sensations of bodily movement and position rather than from visual or auditory sensations.

Other words from motile

mo•tili•ty (mō-tĭlĭ-tē) n.

Scientific definitions for motile

motile
[ mōtl, mōtīl′ ]

Moving or able to move by itself. Sperm and certain spores are motile.

Other words from motile

motility noun (mō-tĭlĭ-tē)