n., adj., & v.
--n.
1. a factor or circumstance that induces a person to act in a particular way.
2 MOTIF.
--adj.
1. tending to initiate movement.
2 concerned with movement.
--v.tr. MOTIVATE.
Phrases and idioms:
motive power a moving or impelling power, esp. a source of energy used to drive machinery.
Derivatives:
motiveless adj. motivelessly adv. motivelessness n. motivity n.
Etymology: ME f. OF motif (adj. & n.) f. LL motivus (adj.) (as MOVE)