Motion  —n. 1 moving; changing position. 2 gesture. 3 formal proposal put to a committee, legislature, etc. 4 application to a court for an order. 5 a an evacuation of the bowels. B (in sing. Or pl.) Faeces. —v. (often foll. By to + infin.) 1 direct (a person) by a gesture. 2 (often foll. By to a person) make a gesture directing (motioned to me to leave).  go through the motions do something perfunctorily or superficially. In motion moving; not at rest. Put (or set) in motion set going or working.  motionless adj. [latin: related to *move]