commotion

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /kəˈməʊ.ʃən/

• Audio (Southern England)

  (file)

• (US) IPA^(key): /kəˈmoʊ.ʃən/
• Rhymes: -əʊʃən

Noun

commotion (countable and uncountable, plural commotions)

1. A state of turbulent motion.
2. An agitated disturbance or a hubbub.
   • 1834, L[etitia] E[lizabeth] L[andon], Francesca Carrara. , volume III, London: Richard Bentley, , (successor to Henry Colburn), →OCLC, pages 97–98:

     It would seem as if calm were necessary to convulsion; for the tranquillity of the last few months was again to be disturbed by political commotion.

   • 1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 19, in The China Governess: A Mystery, London: Chatto & Windus, →OCLC:

     When Timothy and Julia hurried up the staircase to the bedroom floor, where a considerable commotion was taking place, Tim took Barry Leach with him. He had him gripped firmly by the arm, since he felt it was not safe to let him loose, and he had no immediate idea what to do with him.

3. (euphemistic) Sexual excitement.
   • 1749, [John Cleland], “(Please specify the letter or volume)”, in Memoirs of a Woman of Pleasure [Fanny Hill], London: G. Fenton  , →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

• See also Thesaurus:commotion

Derived terms

• commotion lotion
• commotional

Related terms

Translations

French

Pronunciation

• Audio

  (file)

Noun

commotion f (plural commotions)

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

Further reading

• “commotion”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé , 2012.