Part 315

Donner le MOT, Fr. To give the parole, or watch-word.

Aller prendre le MOT, Fr. To go for the parole or watch-word.

On l’envoya porter le MOT, Fr. he was sent with the parole or watch-word.

In the French service parole and countersign are frequently comprehended under the word mot, viz. Le mot qu’on avoit donné le jour du combat, étoit Saint Louis et Paris; which according to the English method of giving out orders would have stood thus:--Parole St. Louis, countersign Paris.

MOT de ralliement, Fr. Rallying word.

MOTHIR al moolk. In Indian fortification, barricadoes, intrenchments, or breastworks, are so called.

MOTION, is defined to be the continued and successive change of place.--There are three general laws of motion: 1. That a body always perseveres in its state of rest, or of uniform motion in a right line, till by some external force it be made to change its place: for as a body is passive in receiving its motion, and the direction of its motion, so it retains them without any change, till it be acted on by something external. 2. The second general law of motion is, that the change of motion is proportional to the force impressed, and is produced in the right line in which that force acts. 3. The third general law of motion is, that action and re-action are equal, with opposite directions, and are to be estimated always in the same right line.

MOTION. A word bearing the same signification as tems does in the French. It is peculiarly applicable to the manual and platoon exercise; as, draw ramrod, which is done in two motions:--Tirez la baguette en deux tems. Motion, in a military sense, is distinguished from movement, inasmuch as the former applies specifically to something done by an individual, with an instrument of war, as handling the firelock; whereas the latter is generally understood to mean the different changes, &c. which are made in evolutions, &c. Motion is the particular adjunct of the manual, and movement that of evolution. The French make the same distinction with respect to maniement.

MOTION, mouvement, Fr. generally so called, a continual and successive change of place.

MOTION, equal or uniform, (mouvement égal, ou uniforme) that by which a body moves over equal spaces in equal times; such are the motions of celestial bodies.

MOTION absolute, (mouvement absolu, Fr.) is a mutation or change of absolute space, and its celerity is measured according to absolute space.

MOTION relative, (mouvement relatif, Fr.) is a change or mutation of relative place, and its celerity is measured according to relative space.

MOTION equally accelerated, (mouvement uniformément accéléré, Fr.) is such whose velocity equally increases in equal times.

MOTION, equally retarded, (mouvement uniformément retardé) is such whose velocity equally decreases, in equal times, till the body comes to rest.

MOTIONS of an army, (mouvemens d’une armée, Fr.) are the various changes which it undergoes in marching from one place to another; these are more generally understood by the word movement.

MOTIONS of the firelock during the manual and platoon exercise. Motion in this sense is expressed by tems among the French. These consist of those prescribed methods which have been explained under manual.

The new mode of carrying, (which is with nearly extended arm) is certainly less fatiguing than supporting arms; since the former leaves the circulation of the blood free, and the latter binds the soldier’s arm at the elbow. The French allow great latitude in the carrying of the firelock, especially in marching and manœuvring. The men are frequently permitted to slope arms.

MOTION compound, (mouvement composé, Fr.) is the motion of one body impelled by two different powers.

MOTION of projection, (mouvement de projection, Fr.) that by which bodies are impelled through the air, or through any other fluid. A shell which is forced out of a mortar by means of inflammable gunpowder has a motion of projection.

MOTION of vibration, or vibrating motion, (mouvement de vibration, Fr.) is the circular motion of a body, which is generally round or spherical.

MOTION of undulation, or undulating motion, (mouvement d’ondulation, Fr.) a circular motion which is perceptible in water, when any hard substance is thrown into it.

MOTIONS of an enemy, (mouvemens d’un ennemi, Fr.) The different marches, positions, &c. which an enemy takes are so called.

To watch the MOTIONS of an enemy, (guétter un ennemi, Fr.) To keep a good look out by means of a regular communication between head-quarters, and the outposts of your army. On a large scale, the business of an army of observation is chiefly confined to this species of service. On a more limited one, the duty is frequently entrusted to partisans and light troops.

MOTION of a bomb or ball. The progress which a bomb or ball makes through the air may be said to consist of three sorts, after it has been delivered out of the mortar, or emitted from a gun or musquet. These are:--

The violent MOTION, or first explosion, when the powder has worked its effect upon the ball, so far as the bomb or ball may be supposed to move in a right line.

The mixed MOTION, or yielding impulse, when the natural weight of the bomb or ball begins to overcome the force which was given by the gunpowder.

The natural MOTION, or exhaustion of the first impulse. This occurs when the bomb or ball is falling to the ground.

To MOTION a thing, to propose it in a military or civil meeting.