Definition of motive. Meaning of motive. Synonyms of motive

Here you will find one or more explanations in English for the word motive. Also in the bottom left of the page several parts of wikipedia pages related to the word motive and, of course, motive synonyms and on the right images related to the word motive.

Definition of motive

Motive
Motive Mo"tive, a. Causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move; as, a motive argument; motive power. ``Motive faculty.' --Bp. Wilkins. Motive power (Mach.), a natural agent, as water, steam, wind, electricity, etc., used to impart motion to machinery; a motor; a mover.
Motive
Motive Mo"tive, n. [F. motif, LL. motivum, from motivus moving, fr. L. movere, motum, to move. See Move.] 1. That which moves; a mover. [Obs.] --Shak. 2. That which incites to action; anything prompting or exciting to choise, or moving the will; cause; reason; inducement; object. By motive, I mean the whole of that which moves, excites, or invites the mind to volition, whether that be one thing singly, or many things conjunctively. --J. Edwards. 3. (Mus.) The theme or subject; a leading phrase or passage which is reproduced and varied through the course of a comor a movement; a short figure, or melodic germ, out of which a whole movement is develpoed. See also Leading motive, under Leading. [Written also motivo.] 4. (Fine Arts) That which produces conception, invention, or creation in the mind of the artist in undertaking his subject; the guiding or controlling idea manifested in a work of art, or any part of one. Syn: Incentive; incitement; inducement; reason; spur; stimulus; cause. Usage: Motive, Inducement, Reason. Motive is the word originally used in speaking of that which determines the choice. We call it an inducement when it is attractive in its nature. We call it a reason when it is more immediately addressed to the intellect in the form of argument.
Motive
Motive Mo"tive, v. t. To prompt or incite by a motive or motives; to move.

Meaning of motive from wikipedia

- Look up motive in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Motive(s) or The Motive(s) may refer to: Motivation Motive (law) Motives (film), a 2004 thriller The...
- Motive Studio (also known as EA Motive and Motive) is a Canadian video game developer and studio of Electronic Arts (EA) based in Montreal. Motive Studio...
- Motives is a 2004 erotic thriller film starring Vivica A. Fox, Shemar Moore, Golden Brooks, Sean Blakemore and Keshia Knight Pulliam. The direct-to-video...
- A motive is the cause that moves people to induce a certain action. In criminal law, motive in itself is not an element of any given crime; however, the...
- Electro-Motive Diesel (abbreviated EMD) is a brand of diesel-electric locomotives, locomotive products and diesel engines for the rail industry. Formerly...
- Motive power may refer to: In thermodynamics, natural agents such as water or steam, wind or electricity, that do work In mechanics, the mechanical energy...
- motive in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. Ulterior Motive may refer to: "Spiral", with "Ulterior Motive", a 2003 single by Pendulum Ulterior Motive (film)...
- Motive (formerly KeepTruckin) is a technology company that builds products to improve the safety, productivity, and profitability of businesses that power...
- Appeal to motive is a pattern of argument which consists in challenging a thesis by calling into question the motives of its proposer. It can be considered...
- Motive, Inc. (previously Motive Communications) was a software manufacturer founded in May 1997 and headquartered in Austin, Texas. On June 17, 2008,...