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. motive power a moving or impelling power, esp. a source of energy used to drive machinery. motiveless adj. motivelessly adv. motivelessness n. motivity n.
[ ME f. OF motif (adj. & n.) f. LL motivus (adj.) (as MOVE) ]