- move
-
I. verb
(moved; moving)
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French mover, moveir, from Latin movēre; probably akin to Sanskrit mīvati he moves, pushes
Date: 13th century
intransitive verb
1.
a.
(1) to go or pass to another place or in a certain direction with a continuous motion <moved into the shade> (2) to proceed toward a certain state or condition <moving up the executive ladder> <moved into second place> (3) to become transferred during play <checkers move along diagonally adjacent squares> (4) to keep pace <moving with the times> b. to start away from some point or place ; depart c. to change one's residence or location 2. to carry on one's life or activities in a specified environment <moves in the best circles> 3. to change position or posture ; stir <ordered him not to move> 4. to take action ; act 5. a. to begin operating or functioning or working in a usual way b. to show marked activity <after a lull things really began to move> c. to move a piece (as in chess or checkers) during one's turn 6. to make a formal request, application, or appeal 7. to change hands by being sold or rented <goods that moved slowly> 8. of the bowels evacuate transitive verb 1. a. (1) to change the place or position of (2) to dislodge or displace from a fixed position ; budge b. to transfer (as a piece in chess) from one position to another 2. a. (1) to cause to go or pass from one place to another with a continuous motion <move the flag slowly up and down> (2) to cause to advance b. to cause to operate or function ; actuate <this button moves the whole machine> c. to put into activity or rouse up from inactivity 3. to cause to change position or posture 4. to prompt or rouse to the doing of something ; persuade <the report moved us to take action> 5. a. to stir the emotions, feelings, or passions of <deeply moved by such kindness> b. to affect in such a way as to lead to an indicated show of emotion <the story moved her to tears> 6. a. obsolete beg b. to make a formal application to 7. to propose formally in a deliberative assembly <moved the adjournment motion> 8. to cause (the bowels) to void 9. to cause to change hands through sale or rent Synonyms: move, actuate, drive, impel mean to set or keep in motion. move is very general and implies no more than the fact of changing position <moved the furniture>. actuate stresses transmission of power so as to work or set in motion <turbines actuated by waterpower>. drive implies imparting forward and continuous motion and often stresses the effect rather than the impetus <a ship driven aground by hurricane winds>. impel is usually figurative and suggests a great motivating impetus <a candidate impelled by ambition>. II. noun Date: 1656 1. a. the act of moving a piece (as in chess) b. the turn of a player to move 2. a. a step taken especially to gain an objective ; maneuver <a move to end the dispute> <retiring early was a smart move> b. the action of moving from a motionless position c. one of a pattern of dance steps d. a change of residence or location e. an agile or deceptive action especially in sports
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.