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Motive   /mˈoʊtɪv/   Listen
Motive

noun
1.
The psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior.  Synonyms: motivation, need.  "He acted with the best of motives"
2.
A theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music.  Synonym: motif.
3.
A design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration.  Synonym: motif.
adjective
1.
Causing or able to cause motion.  Synonym: motor.  "Motive power" , "Motor energy"
2.
Impelling to action.  Synonyms: motivating, motivative.  "Motive pleas" , "Motivating arguments"



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WordNet 3.0 © 2010 Princeton University








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"Motive" Quotes from Famous Books



... the second third of the nineteenth century, the issue as to American slavery was distinctly drawn, and the leading parties to it had taken their positions. Let us try to understand the motive and spirit of each. ...
— The Negro and the Nation - A History of American Slavery and Enfranchisement • George S. Merriam

... derived from Egyptian originals. They were treated, however, in a quite new spirit and adapted to the special materials and uses of their environment. Thus the form of the palmette, even if derived, as is not unlikely, from the Egyptian lotus-motive, was assimilated to the more familiar palm-forms ...
— A Text-Book of the History of Architecture - Seventh Edition, revised • Alfred D. F. Hamlin

... children of selfishness? Men must be chivalrous and disinterested to be honourable. And you expect them all to join in universal faith—each for his own selfish interest? You forget that if that is the prime motive, men will be honourable only as long as it suits ...
— Yeast: A Problem • Charles Kingsley

... Alan. The fate of the latter was buried in obscurity. It was even a mystery to his family. He was, it was said, a youth of much promise, and of gentle manners; who, having made an imprudent match, from jealousy, or some other motive, deserted his wife, and fled his country. Various reasons were assigned for his conduct. Amongst others, it was stated that the object of Alan's jealous suspicions was his elder brother, Reginald; and that it was the discovery ...
— Rookwood • William Harrison Ainsworth

... men for his generals, and the opinion prevails that large noses indicate long heads and strong minds. Not that great noses cause great minds, but that the motive or ...
— Searchlights on Health - The Science of Eugenics • B. G. Jefferis and J. L. Nichols


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