the.com/electric motor

means A device that converts electrical energy into mechanical rotation, using magnetic fields to turn a shaft.

from 'Electric' traces to Greek 'elektron,' amber — because ancient Greeks noticed rubbed amber attracted light objects, a static spark that eventually lent its name to the whole phenomenon. 'Motor' comes from Latin 'movere,' to move, via 'motor' meaning 'one who moves.' The device itself emerged in the early-to-mid 1800s, built on the discovery that electric current and magnetism could push against each other — pioneers like Faraday and Henry showed that a wire carrying current near a magnet feels a force, and that force, arranged cleverly around a spinning shaft, is the whole trick.