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

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

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

Singular:

motive

Plural:

motives

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