Definition of motor

The word "motor" originated from the Latin word "motor," which means "mover" or "one who moves." In the 14th century, the Latin word was borrowed into Middle English as "moter," which referred to a moving or revolving part of a machine. Over time, the spelling evolved into "motor." The modern meaning of "motor" as a self-contained device that converts energy into mechanical motion, typically using an electric or internal combustion engine, emerged in the late 19th century. The first electric motors were developed in the 1830s, but it wasn't until the 1880s that the term "motor" became widely used to describe these devices. Today, the word "motor" is used to describe a wide range of devices, from small electric motors in household appliances to large internal combustion engines in vehicles. Despite its evolution over the centuries, the word "motor" remains rooted in its original Latin meaning, referring to something that moves or sets something else in motion.