motive
Listen:Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
motive/ˈməʊtɪv/
▶noun
- 1 a reason for doing something.
- 2 a motif.
- 1 producing physical or mechanical motion.
- 2 acting as a motive.
– derivatives
motiveless adjective,
motivelessly adverb,
motivelessness noun.
motiveless adjective,
motivelessly adverb,
motivelessness noun.
– origin ME: from OFr. motif, from late L. motivus, from movere ‘to move’.
'motive' also found in these Oxford entries:
accuse
- didactic
- escapement
- heat engine
- hidden agenda
- impugn
- impulsion
- lead
- leitmotif
- locomotive
- mean
- motivate
- motive power
- motor
- nuclear power
- prime mover
- servomotor
- shaft
- shafting
- skulk
- snow job
- traction
- trailing wheel
- ulterior
- unmotivated
