motive power

  • 1Motive 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

  • 2motive 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

  • 3motive power — ► NOUN ▪ the energy used to drive machinery …

    English terms dictionary

  • 4Motive 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

  • 5Motive 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

  • 6motive 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

  • 7motive 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

  • 8Motive 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

  • 9Motive power depot — Northern Pacific Railroad Shops …

    Wikipedia

  • 10motive power — noun the power or ability to move • Syn: ↑locomotion, ↑motivity • Derivationally related forms: ↑motive (for: ↑motivity), ↑locomotive (for: ↑ …

    Useful english dictionary