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

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)

The timing gears should also be examined to see if the teeth are worn enough so that considerable back lash or lost motion exists between them.

From Aviation Engines Design?Construction?Operation and Repair by Pag?, Victor Wilfred

This will keep up all the slack and lost motion of the screw and its nut.

From Paper-Cutting Machines A Primer of Information about Paper and Card Trimmers, Hand-Lever Cutters, Power Cutters and Other Automatic Machines for Cutting Paper (Typographic Technical Series Part 1, No. 10) by Grayson, David