lost motion
Americannoun
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motion of a machine or mechanism, especially a reciprocating one, during which no useful work is performed.
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motion between parts in an assembly due to manufacturing tolerances, adjustments, slip, or wear.
Etymology
Origin of lost motion
First recorded in 1875–80
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It has over 15,000 parts, but so carefully is it made that lost motion is reduced practically to zero.
From Scientific American ● Jan. 14, 2013
Ambidextrous, he has a knack of changing the ball from one hand to another at the last second and getting it in the clear without a bit of lost motion.
From Time Magazine Archive
In the first of these a proper fit is obtained when the surfaces are in full contact, and the enveloped piece will move without undue friction or lost motion when the surfaces are oiled.
From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Joshua Rose
Both ends of the saw are arranged to take up lost motion and wear.
From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Joshua Rose
If he finds an arm has lost motion, he goes to arm to explore for cause.
From Philosophy of Osteopathy by A. T. (Andrew Taylor) Still
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Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
