Motion refers to change of position in space. Motion denotes change of position, either considered apart from or as a characteristic of that which moves: perpetual motion.
C O N S I D E R:
The rhythmic character or quality of a musical compositon
A distinct structural unit or division having its own key, rhythmic structure, and themes and forming part of an extended musical composition
The particular rhythmic flow of language: Cadence
The quality [as in a painting or sculpture] of representing or suggesting motion
The vibrant quality in literature that comes from elements that constantly hold a reader's interest
R E F E R E N C E S
Motion 1. the action or process of moving or of changing place or position. 2. a movement. 3. power of movement, as of a living body. 4. the manner of moving the body in walking; gait. 5. a bodily movement or change of posture; a gesture. 6. a formal proposal, esp. one made to a deliberative assembly. 7. Law. an application made to a court or judge for an order, ruling, or the like. 8. an inward prompting or impulse; inclination. 9. Music. melodic progression, as the change of a voice part from one pitch to another. 10. Mach. a. a piece of mechanism with a particular action or function. b. the action of such a mechanism. 11. in motion, in active operation; moving -v.t. 12. to direct by a significant motion or gesture, as with the hand. -v.t. 13. to make a significant motion, as with the hand; gesture signal. [ME mocio(u)n < L motion- (s. of motio) = mot(us) moved (ptp of movere) + -ion -ION]
-Syn. 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 that which moves: 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. 4. bearing, carriage.
-Ant. 1. stasis.
[Urdang, Laurence, ed. Random House Dictionary of The English Language. New York: Random House,1968.]
Movement n [14c] 1a: the act or process of moving; esp: change of place or position or posture [2]: a particular instance or manner of moving b [1]: a tactical or strategic shifting of a military unit: Maneuver [2]: the advance of a military unit c: Action, Activity -usu. used in pl. 2a: Tendency, Trend [detected a __ toward fairer pricing] b: a series of organized activities working toward an objective; also: an organized effort to promote or attain an end [the civil rights __] 3: the moving parts of a mechanism that transmits a definite motion 4a: Motion 7 b: the rhythmic character or quality of a musical compositon c: a distinct structural unit or division having its own key, rhythmic structure, and themes and forming part of an extended musical composition d: particular rhythmic flow of language: Cadence 5a: the quality [as in a painting or sculpture] of representing or suggesting motion b: the vibrant quality in literature that comes from elements that constantly hold a reader's interest [as a quickly moving action-filled plot] . . . . [Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th Edition. Springfield, MA, USA: Merriam-Webster, Inc. 1995.]
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