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/mˈoʊtɪv/ Listen

noun

Motive n.

1.

That which moves; a mover. (Obs.)

2.

That which incites to action; anything prompting or exciting to choise, or moving the will; cause; reason; inducement; object; motivation (2). "By motive, I mean the whole of that which moves, excites, or invites the mind to volition, whether that be one thing singly, or many things conjunctively."

3.

(Mus.) The theme or subject; a leading phrase or passage which is reproduced and varied through the course of a comor a movement; a short figure, or melodic germ, out of which a whole movement is develpoed. See also Leading motive, under Leading. (Written also motivo)

4.

(Fine Arts) That which produces conception, invention, or creation in the mind of the artist in undertaking his subject; the guiding or controlling idea manifested in a work of art, or any part of one.

Synonyms: Incentive; incitement; inducement; reason; spur; stimulus; cause. Motive, Inducement, Reason. Motive is the word originally used in speaking of that which determines the choice. We call it an inducement when it is attractive in its nature. We call it a reason when it is more immediately addressed to the intellect in the form of argument.

verb

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

adjective

Motive adj. Causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move; as, a motive argument; motive power. "Motive faculty."

Motive power (Mach.), a natural agent, as water, steam, wind, electricity, etc., used to impart motion to machinery; a motor; a mover.

See images of 'Motive'

Etymology of 'Motive'

Collaborative International Dictionary of English 0.48

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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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