Motive Definition

mōtĭv
motived, motives, motiving
noun
motives
Some inner drive, impulse, intention, etc. that causes a person to do something or act in a certain way; incentive; goal.
Webster's New World
Webster's New World
A motif in art, literature, or music.
American Heritage

(music) A motif; a theme or subject, especially one that is central to the work or often repeated. [from 19th c.]

If you listen carefully, you can hear the flutes mimicking the cello motive.
Wiktionary
adjective
Of, causing, or tending to cause motion.
Webster's New World
Of, or having the nature of, a motive or motives.
Webster's New World
Causing an action.
Motive pleas.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
verb
motived
To supply a motive for; motivate.
Webster's New World

To prompt or incite by a motive or motives; to move.

Wiktionary
affix
Moving, of motion.
Automotive.
Webster's New World

Other Word Forms of Motive

Noun

Singular:
motive
Plural:
motives

Origin of Motive

  • Middle English motif, motive from Old French motif from Late Latin mōtīvus of motion from Latin mōtus past participle of movēre to move meuə- in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • Middle English motif, from Anglo-Norman motif, Middle French motif, and their source, Late Latin motivum (“motive, moving cause"), neuter of motivus (“serving to move").

    From Wiktionary

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