motrix

Etymology

A post-classical Latin female form of classical Latin motor (“motor”). It is used as the feminine form of motor (“(he) that moves”) in neo-Latin, as in the original of Newton's Laws of Motion: proportionalem esse vi motrici impressae ‘is proportional to the motive force applied’ formed on the agentive suffix: -tor (masculine) / -trix (feminine).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈməʊtɹɪks/

Noun

motrix (plural not attested)

1. a female instigator or cause of something
   • 1997, Thomas Pynchon, Mason & Dixon:

     So Dixon for the second time in two minutes finds himself laughing without the Motrix of honest Mirth