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mouvoir

to move, to set in motion

verb moo-VWAHR Rare

Origin: Latin movere (to move)

Usage Note

Mouvoir is a formal and literary verb; in everyday speech, bouger or déplacer are far more common. Its most frequent appearance is in the reflexive se mouvoir (to move oneself) in written or elevated registers. The past participle (f: mue) is used adjectivally, as in mû par la curiosité (driven by curiosity). Conjugation is irregular and learned mainly in writing.

Examples

"Il se meut lentement à cause de sa blessure."

Natural Translation

He moves slowly because of his injury.

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