Noun

(en noun)

A state of turbulent motion.

An agitated disturbance or a hubbub.

* {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham), title=(The China Governess)

, chapter=19 citation , passage=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.}}

(euphemistic) Sexual excitement.

{{quote-Fanny Hill, part=3 , 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}}

Noun

(obsolete) commotion; disturbance, tumult

(Sir John Cheke)

:* {{quote-book

, year=1983 , year_published= , edition= , editor= , author=Marcus Garvey, Robert Hill , title=The Marcus Garvey and Universal Negro Improvement Association Papers , chapter= citation , genre= , publisher=Univ. of Calif. Press , isbn=9780520050914 , page=390 , passage=The world is now in an upstir because this association is about to hold its great convention in New York City }}

:* {{quote-web

, date=2006-12-20 , year= , first= , last= , author=Michael Arrington , quotee=Fredrik , authorlink= , title=I Wish Google Could Buy AllofMP3 , site=TechCrunch citation , archiveorg= , accessdate=2012-06-03 , passage=Needless to say, this has caused quite an upstir with people … }}