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commotion
6 dictionary results for: commotion
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
com·mo·tion       [kuh-moh-shuhn] Pronunciation Key
–noun
1.violent or tumultuous motion; agitation; noisy disturbance: What's all the commotion in the hallway?
2.political or social disturbance or upheaval; sedition; insurrection.
[Origin: 1520–30; < L commōtiōn- (s. of commōtiō), equiv. to commōt(us) ptp. of commovére to commove + -iōn- -ion]

—Related forms
com·mo·tion·al, adjective
com·mo·tive, adjective

—Synonyms 1. disorder, turmoil, tumult, riot, turbulence, bustle. See ado.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
com·mo·tion       (kə-mō'shən)  Pronunciation Key 
n.  
  1. A condition of turbulent motion.
    1. An agitated disturbance; a hubbub: heard a commotion in the hall.
    2. Civil disturbance or insurrection; disorder.


[Middle English commocioun, from Old French commotion, from Latin commōtiō, commōtiōn-, from commōtus, past participle of commovēre, to disturb : com-, intensive pref.; see com- + movēre, to move; see meuə- in Indo-European roots.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
commotion 
c.1390, from M.Fr. commocion "violent motion, agitation," from L. commotionem (nom. commotio), from commotus, pp. of commovere "to move, disturb," from com- "together" + movere "to move" (see move).

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
commotion

noun
1. a disorderly outburst or tumult; "they were amazed by the furious disturbance they had caused" [syn: disturbance] 
2. the act of making a noisy disturbance 
3. confused movement; "he was caught up in a whirl of work"; "a commotion of people fought for the exits" [syn: whirl] 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms - Cite This Source - Share This

commotion

see cause a commotion.


The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997 by The Christine Ammer 1992 Trust. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Commotion

Com*mo"tion\, n. [L. commotio: cf. F. commotion. See Motion.]

1. Disturbed or violent motion; agitation.

[What] commotion in the winds ! --Shak.

2. A popular tumult; public disturbance; riot.

When ye shall hear of wars and commotions. --Luke xxi. 9.

3. Agitation, perturbation, or disorder, of mind; heat; excitement. "He could not debate anything without some commotion." --Clarendon.

Syn: Excitement; agitation; perturbation; disturbance; tumult; disorder; violence.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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