motorically
|mo-tor-ic-al-ly|
🇺🇸
/moʊˈtɔrɪkli/
🇬🇧
/məʊˈtɒrɪkli/
(motoric)
relating to movement/motor function
Etymology
'motorically' ultimately comes from the adjective 'motoric', itself formed from the noun 'motor' (from Latin 'motor') with the adjectival suffix '-ic', plus the adverbial suffix '-ally' to make 'motorically'. 'Motor' in Latin derives from 'movere' meaning 'to move'.
'motor' comes from Latin 'motor' (one who moves) derived from the verb 'movere'. The adjective 'motoric' was formed in modern English from 'motor' + '-ic'; adding the adverbial ending produced 'motorically'.
Initially related to the notion of 'movement' (from Latin 'movere' meaning 'to move'); over time the derived adjective/adverb has come to mean specifically 'relating to motor function or muscular movement' in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adverb 1
in a manner relating to physical movement or motor skills; by means of muscular movement rather than verbally or mentally.
The infant reached motorically for the toy before he could speak.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/12/27 15:29
