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motorize

[moh-tuh-rahyz]
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verb (used with object), mo·tor·ized, mo·tor·iz·ing.
  1. to furnish with a motor, as a vehicle.
  2. to supply with motor-driven vehicles, usually in the place of horses and horse-drawn vehicles.
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Also especially British, mo·tor·ise.

Origin of motorize

First recorded in 1910–15; motor + -ize
Related formsmo·tor·i·za·tion, nounnon·mo·tor·ized, adjectiveun·mo·tor·ized, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for motorize

motorize

motorise

verb (tr)
  1. to equip with a motor
  2. to provide (military units) with motor vehicles
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Derived Formsmotorization or motorisation, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for motorize

v.

"to furnish with a motor or motors," 1901, from motor (n.) + -ize. Related: Motorized; motorizing; motorization.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper