motor

Where does the word "motor" come from? It comes from Latin movere, passing through Latin before entering English (1600s).

Motor’s story begins in Latin: movere meant “to move, to set in motion.” The root of 'motion', 'mobile' and 'moment'. Within Latin, it grew into motor by ancient. One who moves, a mover, from movere. It reached English by 1600s as motor. Settled as the English word for a machine that produces motion or power. Today, motor means a machine that converts energy into motion or power.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient movere "to move, to set in motion", the root of 'motion', 'mobile' and 'moment'.
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient motor "one who moves, a mover", one who moves, a mover, from movere.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s motor "a machine that produces motion or power", settled as the English word for a machine that produces motion or power.