Definition of motive Motive

/mowˈtɪv/ - [mowtiv] - mo•tive

We found 15 definitions of motive from 5 different sources.

What does motive mean?

Adjective
motive - causing or able to cause motion; "a motive force"; "motive power"; "motor energy"
		motor
		causative producing an effect; "poverty as a causative factor in crime"
motive - impelling to action; "it may well be that ethical language has primarily a motivative function"- Arthur Pap; "motive pleas"; "motivating arguments"
		motivative, motivating
		causative producing an effect; "poverty as a causative factor in crime"

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motive (Noun)
An incentive to act; a reason for doing something; anything that prompted a choice of action.
motive (Noun)
A motif; a theme or subject, especially one that is central to the work or often repeated.
motive (Verb)
To prompt or incite by a motive or motives; to move.
motive (Adjective)
Causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move; as, a motive argument; motive power.
motive (Adjective)
Relating to motion and/or to its cause.

motive (n.)
That which moves; a mover.
motive (n.)
That which incites to action; anything prompting or exciting to choise, or moving the will; cause; reason; inducement; object.
motive (n.)
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.
motive (n.)
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.
motive (a.)
Causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move; as, a motive argument; motive power.
motive (v. t.)
To prompt or incite by a motive or motives; to move.