- motive power
- noun Date: 1775 1. an agency (as water or steam) used to impart motion especially to machinery 2. something (as a locomotive or a motor) that provides motive power to a system
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
motive power
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Motive power — Motive Mo tive, a. Causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move; as, a motive argument; motive power. Motive faculty. Bp. Wilkins. [1913 Webster] {Motive power} (Mach.), a natural agent, as water, steam, wind, electricity, etc., used… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
motive power — n. 1. any power, as steam, electricity, etc., used to impart motion; any source of mechanical energy 2. an impelling force … English World dictionary
motive power — ► NOUN ▪ the energy used to drive machinery … English terms dictionary
Motive power — For other uses, see Motive power (disambiguation). A young drawer pulling a coal tub up a mine shaft, whose effect constitutes the elevation of a weight to a certain height (Sadi Carnot). In thermodynamics, motive power is an agency, as water or… … Wikipedia
Motive Power — For the train manufacturer known as Motive Power Industries, see Wabtec. Motive Power is a bi monthly railway related magazine that focuses on diesel locomotives in Australia. The content includes photographs of locomotives trains, news about… … Wikipedia
motive power — noun The power that enables something to move; also used in a figurative sense. , Using electricity as motive power for railroads will do away with fuel trains, tenders, coal handling, water, and all that. Syn: locomotion, motivity … Wiktionary
Motive power (disambiguation) — Motive power can refer to: Motive power, the thermodynamics concept A colloquial term for a railway locomotive Motive Power, an Australian railway magazine Electric Motive Power, an English electric car MotivePower Industries, a company now part… … Wikipedia
Motive power depot — Northern Pacific Railroad Shops … Wikipedia
motive power — noun the power or ability to move • Syn: ↑locomotion, ↑motivity • Derivationally related forms: ↑motive (for: ↑motivity), ↑locomotive (for: ↑ … Useful english dictionary
motive power — Synonyms and related words: activator, animator, appliance, arouser, bunt, butt, clout, compulsion, convenience, drive, driving force, energizer, engine, enginery, facility, fixture, human dynamo, impellent, impelling force, impetus, impulse,… … Moby Thesaurus
