motive

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A reason that makes someone want to do something.

   At first they seemed kind, but their motives were not entirely honest.

2. 2
   noun

   The reason why someone commits a crime.

   The police could not find a motive for the murder.

3. 3
   adj

   Causing or able to cause movement.

   Steam was the main motive power of early trains.

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

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