INCENTIVE

[in.cen.tive] n [ME, fr. LL incentivum, fr. neut. of incentivus stimulating, fr. L, setting the tune, fr. incentus, pp. of incinere to set the tune, fr. in- + canere to sing--more at chant] (15c): something that incites or has a tendency to incite to determination or action syn see motive -- incentive adj