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

See Examples For:

lost motion

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

Sure he did," Morris said, "although from what this here newspaper reporter tells me, Abe, there was a whole lot of lost motion about the investigation.

From Potash and Perlmutter Settle Things by Glass, Montague

If he finds an arm has lost motion, he goes to arm to explore for cause.

From Philosophy of Osteopathy by Still, A. T. (Andrew Taylor)

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)