water motor

noun

any form of prime mover or motor that is operated by the kinetic energy, pressure, or weight of water, especially a small turbine or waterwheel fitted to a pipe supplying water.

QUIZZES

DISCOVER THE INFLUENCE OF PORTUGUESE ON ENGLISH VIA THIS QUIZ!

We’ve gathered some interesting words donated to English from Portuguese … as well as some that just don’t translate at all. Do you know what they mean?

Question 1 of 11

Which of the following animal names traces its immediate origin to Portuguese?

owl

crow

piranha

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of water motor

First recorded in 1880–85

Words nearby water motor

water milfoil, water mill, water mint, water moccasin, water mold, water motor, Water Music, water nymph, water oak, water oats, water of constitution

Example sentences from the Web for water motor

A Water-motor, steam engine, or whatever power you can get with which to operate the railway.
The Boy Craftsman|A. Neely Hall
For continuous work, as we cannot always be turning the wheel, a small steam-engine or water-motor must be employed.
How to Make Electrical Machines|R. A. R. Bennett
When she arrived he was standing in the middle of the stream, explaining the mechanics of the water-motor to a group of men.
God's Green Country|Ethel M. Chapman
The Case of this water-motor is made of an empty varnish can—preferably one of gallon capacity.
Home-made Toys for Girls and Boys|A. Neely Hall

Meantime the turbine grew steadily in favor as a water-motor, arriving at last at high efficiency.
Inventors at Work|George Iles

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