motor

Less common meanings

5. 5
   verbdatedintransitive

   To travel somewhere by car.

   Every Sunday we motor into the countryside.

   They motored down to the seaside last summer.

   UsageOften with a direction: motor down to the sea.

   Similardrive

   Note
6. 6
   driving forcenounfigurativelycountable

   A driving force that pushes something forward or keeps it going.

   Like an engine inside a plan that keeps it moving forward.

   Tourism is the main motor of the town's economy.

   Curiosity is the motor that keeps science moving.

   UsageOften said as the motor of something, like the motor of a town's economy.

   Similardriver, dynamo

7. 7
   move quicklyverbcolloquialfigurativelyintransitive

   To keep moving along quickly and steadily.

   Like a car cruising smoothly down an open road.

   By afternoon we just motor through the chores.

   The meeting motored along faster than expected.

   UsageOften said as really motoring: things are going fast and well.

   Similarcruise, breeze, zip, speed

   Oppositecrawl

   Note
8. 8
   proteinnouncountable

   A protein that turns chemical energy into movement inside cells.

   Like a tiny engine inside a cell that moves things around.

   Each motor uses chemical energy to do work in the cell.

   These tiny motors carry materials across the cell.

9. 9
   verbslangintransitive

   To go away or leave a place.

   It's getting late, so let's motor.

   We should motor before the rain starts.

   UsagePeople say it about themselves leaving: I've got to motor.

   Similarleave, split, go (entry)

   Oppositearrive, stay

   Note
10. 10
    Godnounarchaic

    God, seen as the power that moves and controls the whole universe.

    Note
11. 11
    verb

    To spin a jet or turboprop engine with its starter without adding fuel.
12. 12
    nounslang

    The mush of fermenting fruit used to make homemade prison wine.