motor
[noun]
Synonyms: car, auto, autocar, automobile, buggy, bus, machine, motorcar
[verb]
Synonyms: ride, auto, drive, charioteer, pilot, tool, wheel

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

I. mo‧tor¹ S3 W3 /ˈməʊtə $ ˈmoʊtər/ noun [countable]
[Date: 1400-1500; Language: Latin; Origin: motus, past participle of movere; ⇒ move¹]

1. the part of a machine that makes it work or move, by changing power, especially electrical power, into movement:
an electric motor
► Motor is not generally used to refer to the part of a vehicle which produces the power for it to move. Use engine: My car needs a new engine.

2. British English old-fashioned informal a car:
That’s a nice motor you’ve got, Dave.
⇒ outboard motor

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

II. motor² adjective [only before noun]

1. especially British English relating to cars or other vehicles with engines:
the motor industry
a motor accident
motor insurance

2. having an engine:
a motor scooter

3. technical relating to nerves that make muscles move:
impaired motor function

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

III. motor³ verb [intransitive always + adverb/preposition]
British English old-fashioned to travel by car:
Bertie is motoring down from London.

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

motor
noun
ADJ. large, powerful | small | diesel, electric | outboard a boat with a powerful outboard motor
VERB + MOTOR start, turn on | turn off
MOTOR + VERB run, work He left the motor running.
drive sth A powerful motor drives the mill wheel.

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

motor
noun
BAD: It's an old car and the motor is very noisy.
GOOD: It's an old car and the engine is very noisy.

Usage Note:
motor = the part of a machine which turns electrical power into movement: 'My video camera isn't working. Either the battery is flat or there's something wrong with the motor.'
See note at MACHINE (machine)

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Common Errors ▲