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motus

Etymology and origin of the Latin word motus

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Confidence
Established
Formation
Derivation
First attested
Ennius
Ultimate origin
Latin (moveō)

Pronunciation

  • IPA (Classical): [ˈmoː.tʊs][1]
  • IPA (Ecclesiastical): [ˈmɔː.tus][1]

Forms

mōtus m (genitive mōtūs); fourth declension[1]

Etymology

It is from moveō “to move” with the suffix -tus.[2][1][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

Köbler's first source is Ennius, whom he dates 204–169 BC.[3] The OLD's earliest citations are from Cicero.[2]

Semantic evolution

It meant motion, movement, as in Cicero, and movement of the body; in Cicero also an activity of the senses or the mind, and a manoeuvre.[2] In Quintilian it meant liveliness of style, in Cicero a change, in mōtū esse to be in flux, and in Celsus an upset of the body.[2] In Cicero it meant a civil disturbance, an upheaval, a passion, emotion, and an impulse to action.[2]

In Ecclesiastical Latin it meant motion, movement, activity, impulse, initiative.[4] British Medieval Latin used it of the movement of the body, of light and sound, of the heavenly bodies, and terrae mōtus an earthquake.[5] It survives in Italian moto.[1] English motion comes from the related noun mōtiō.[6]

Timeline

  • 204–169 BC – Ennius uses it.[3]
  • 81–43 BC – Cicero uses it of motion, emotion and upheaval.[2][3]
  • c. 35–95/96 AD – Quintilian uses it of lively style.[2][3]

Meanings

Noun

  1. Motion, movement.[2]
  2. A sensation; an activity of the mind.[2]
  3. A manoeuvre.[2]
  4. Liveliness (of style).[2]
  5. A change, in mōtū esse, to be in flux.[2]
  6. A disturbance; an upheaval.[2]
  7. An emotion, passion.[2]
  8. An impulse, prompting.[2]

Word family

  • submōtus

Usage notes

It is also the participle mōtus “moved” of moveō.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o Glare, P. G. W., ed. (2012), Oxford Latin Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  3. ^ a b c d e Köbler, Gerhard (2010), Lateinisches Abkunfts- und Wirkungswörterbuch für Altertum und Mittelalter, online ed., koeblergerhard.de
  4. ^ Stelten, Leo F. (1995), Dictionary of Ecclesiastical Latin, Peabody, Mass.: Hendrickson
  5. ^ Latham, R. E., D. R. Howlett, R. K. Ashdowne, et al. (1975–2013), Dictionary of Medieval Latin from British Sources, London: British Academy / Oxford University Press
  6. ^ Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
Cite this entry

“Motus.” Etymologically, 16 Oct. 2026, etymologically.com/la/motus. Accessed 16 Oct. 2026.

Last edited on . ·