commotion

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English

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Etymology

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From Middle French commocion, from Latin commōtiōnem, accusative singular of commōtiō, from commoveō +‎ -tiō.

Pronunciation

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Noun

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commotion (countable and uncountable, plural commotions)

  1. A state of turbulent motion.
  2. An agitated disturbance or a hubbub.
  3. (euphemistic) Sexual excitement.
    • 1749, [John Cleland], “(Please specify the letter or volume)”, in Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure [Fanny Hill], London: [] [Thomas Parker] for G. Fenton [i.e., Fenton and Ralph Griffiths] [], →OCLC:
      and now, glancing my eyes towards that part of his dress which cover'd the essential object of enjoyment, I plainly discover'd the swell and commotion there

Synonyms

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Derived terms

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Translations

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The translations below need to be checked and inserted above into the appropriate translation tables. See instructions at Wiktionary:Entry layout § Translations.

French

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Pronunciation

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Noun

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commotion f (plural commotions)

  1. a violent collision or shock; concussion
  2. shock, surprise

Further reading

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