locomote

Locomote is a verb meaning to move from one location to another or to cause something to move. In modern English it is rare and primarily found in historical, technical, or formal contexts. The closely related noun locomotion denotes the act or ability of moving from place to place.

Etymology traces locomote to the combination of loco-, meaning place, with a root related to move. The form is infrequent in contemporary usage, and many dictionaries classify it as archaic or specialized. Because it is not common in modern prose, phonetic and usage notes often emphasize its dated or technical character.

In practice, locomotion is the standard term for movement in biology and related fields, while locomote appears mainly in older or more literary texts. For example, a nineteenth-century work might describe an animal locomoting by coordinated limb movement. In contemporary writing, the verb is seldom used; writers typically choose move, travel, relocate, or other more common verbs. When employed, locomote tends to function as a formal or theoretical label rather than a routine action verb.

See also: locomotion, locomotor, mobility, movement.