motive

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   An idea or communication that makes one want to act, especially from spiritual sources; a divine prompting.

   there's something in a woman beyond all human delight; a magnetic virtue, a charming quality, an occult and powerful motive.

2. 2
   noun

   An incentive to act in a particular way; a reason or emotion that makes one want to do something; anything that prompts a choice of action.

   Many of them at first seemed kind to him, but it turned out their motives were not entirely altruistic.

3. 3
   noun

   A limb or other bodily organ that can move.

   every joint and motive of her body

4. 4
   noun

   Something which causes someone to want to commit a crime; a reason for criminal behaviour.

   What would his motive be for burning down the cottage?

5. 5
   noun

   Alternative form of motif.

   If you listen carefully, you can hear the flutes mimicking the cello motive.

6. 6
   noun

   One's plans for the day or night.

   What's the motive for tonight, lads?

7. 7
   adj

   Causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move

   a motive argument

8. 8
   adj

   Relating to motion and/or to its cause

   Debussy's melody is fractional, fragmentary. But at the core all his music is melodic and melody is its main motive force.

Etymology

From Middle English motif, from Anglo-Norman motif, Middle French motif, and their source, Late Latin motivum (“motive, moving cause”), neuter of motivus.