Move

Pronunciation

• IPA: /muːv/
• Rhymes: -uːv

Alternative forms

• meve 12th to 16th centuries
• mieve obsolete
• moove

Origin

From Middle English moven, moeven, meven, from Anglo-Norman mover, moveir and Old French mouver, moveir ("to move") (compare modern French mouvoir from Old French movoir), from Latin movēre, present active infinitive of moveō ("move; change, exchange, go in or out, quit"), from Proto-Indo-European *meue-, *(a)mewǝ-, *mwō- ("to move, drive"). Cognate with Lithuanian mauti ("to push on, rush"), Sanskrit (mīvati, "pushes, presses, moves"), Middle Dutch mouwe ("sleeve"). More at muff.

Full definition of move

Verb

1. (intransitive) To change place or posture; to stir; to go, in any manner, from one place or position to another.A ship moves rapidly.I was sitting on the sofa for a long time, I was too lazy to move.
• 1839, Denison Olmsted, A Compendium of Astronomy Page 95Secondly, When a body is once in motion it will continue to move forever, unless something stops it. When a ball is struck on the surface of the earth, the friction of the earth and the resistance of the air soon stop its motion.
2. (intransitive) To act; to take action; to stir; to begin to act; as, to move in a matter.to move in a matterCome on guys, let's move: there's work to do!
3. (to change residence)(intransitive) To change residence; to remove, as from one house, town, or state, to another; to go and live at another place. See also move out and move in.I decided to move to the country for a more peaceful life.They moved closer to work to cut down commuting time.
4. (intransitive, chess, and other games) To change the place of a piece in accordance with the rules of the game.The rook moved from a8 to a6.My opponent's counter was moving much quicker round the board than mine.
5. (transitive, ergative) To cause to change place or posture in any manner; to set in motion; to carry, convey, draw, or push from one place to another; to impel; to stir.The waves moved the boat up and down.The horse moves a carriage.
6. (transitive, chess) To transfer (a piece or man) from one space or position to another, according to the rules of the game; as, to move a king.She moved the queen closer to the centre of the board.
7. (transitive) To excite to action by the presentation of motives; to rouse by representation, persuasion, or appeal; to influence.This song moves me to dance.
• KnollesMinds desirous of revenge were not moved with gold.
• DrydenNo female arts his mind could move.
8. (transitive) To arouse the feelings or passions of; especially, to excite to tenderness or compassion, to excite, as an emotion.That book really moved me.
• Bible, Matthew ix. 36When he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them.
9. (transitive) To propose; to recommend; specifically, to propose formally for consideration and determination, in a deliberative assembly; to submit, as a resolution to be adopted; as, to move to adjourn.I move to repel the rule regarding obligatory school uniform.
• ShakespeareLet me but move one question to your daughter.
• HaywardThey are to be blamed alike who move and who decline war upon particular respects.
10. (transitive, obsolete) To mention; to raise (a question); to suggest (a course of action); to lodge (a complaint).
11. (transitive, obsolete) To incite, urge (someone to do something); to solicit (someone for or of an issue); to make a proposal to.
• 1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte Darthur, Book VII:"Sir," seyde Sir Boys, "ye nede nat to meve me of such maters, for well ye wote I woll do what I may to please you."
12. (transitive, obsolete) To apply to, as for aid.

Synonyms

Derived terms

Noun

1. The act of moving; a movement.A slight move of the tiller, and the boat will go off course.
2. An act for the attainment of an object; a step in the execution of a plan or purpose.He made another move towards becoming a naturalized citizen.
3. A formalized or practiced action used in athletics, dance, physical exercise, self-defense, hand-to-hand combat, etc.She always gets spontaneous applause for that one move.He can win a match with that one move.
4. The event of changing one's residence.The move into my fiancé's house took two long days.They were pleased about their move to the country.
5. A change in strategy.I am worried about our boss's move.It was a smart move to bring on a tall striker to play against the smaller defenders.
6. A transfer, a change from one employer to another.
• 2013, Phil McNulty, "http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/23830980", BBC Sport, 1 September 2013:Robin van Persie squandered United's best chance late on but otherwise it was a relatively comfortable afternoon for Liverpool's new goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, who has yet to concede a Premier League goal since his £9m summer move from Sunderland.
7. (board games) The act of moving a token on a gameboard from one position to another according to the rules of the game.The best move of the game was when he sacrificed his rook in order to gain better possession.It's your move! Roll the dice!If you roll a six, you can make two moves.

Synonyms

• (act of moving)
• (moving to another place) removal, relocation

Derived terms