/ ˈməʊtɪv; NAmE ˈmoʊ-/ noun , adjective
■ noun
motive (for sth) a reason for doing sth :
There seemed to be no motive for the murder.
I'm suspicious of his motives.
the profit motive (= the desire to make a profit)
I have an ulterior motive in offering to help you.
➡ note at reason
► mo·tive·less adjective :
an apparently motiveless murder / attack
■ adjective
[ only before noun ] ( technical ) causing movement or action :
motive power / force (= for example, electricity, to operate machinery)
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WORD ORIGIN
late Middle English : from Old French motif (adjective used as a noun), from late Latin motivus , from movere to move.