[mo.tive] n [ME, fr. MF motif, fr. motif, adj., moving, fr. ML motivus, fr. L motus, pp. of movere to move] (15c) 1: something (as a need or desire) that causes a person to act
2: a recurrent phrase or figure that is developed through the course of a musical composition
3: motif -- mo.tive.less adj -- mo.tive.less.ly adv -- mo.ti.vic adj syn motive, impulse, incentive, inducement, spur, goad mean a stimulus to action. motive implies an emotion or desire operating on the will and causing it to act "a motive for the crime". impulse suggests a driving power arising from personal temperament or constitution "buying on impulse". incentive applies to an external influence (as an expected reward) inciting to action "a bonus was offered as an incentive". inducement suggests a motive prompted by the deliberate enticements or allurements of another "offered a watch as an inducement to subscribe". spur applies to a motive that stimulates the faculties or increases energy or ardor "fear was a spur to action". goad suggests a motive that keeps one going against one's will or desire "thought insecurity a goad to worker efficiency".
[2]mo.tive adj [MF or ML; MF motif, fr. ML motivus] (1502) 1: moving or tending to move to action
2: of or relating to motion or the causing of motion "~ energy" [3]mo.tive vt mo.tived ; mo.tiv.ing (ca. 1650): motivate