lost motion

American  

noun

Machinery.

1. motion of a machine or mechanism, especially a reciprocating one, during which no useful work is performed.

2. motion between parts in an assembly due to manufacturing tolerances, adjustments, slip, or wear.

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Etymology

Origin of lost motion

First recorded in 1875–80

Example Sentences

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 a boring machine it is of the utmost consequence that the bar shall be as free from vibration as possible, while lost motion, or looseness from wear, is especially to be avoided.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua

Now, it is obvious that the eccentric must be turned to the diameter at c, or otherwise it will have lost motion in the strap.

From Modern Machine-Shop Practice, Volumes I and II by Rose, Joshua

So he was towed for a long distance, and when his skiff finally seemed to have lost motion and be drifting, he ventured to lift his head.

From The Copper Princess A Story of Lake Superior Mines by Rogers, W. A. (William Allen)