Mō'tive1, a.
a. [Lat. movere, motum, to move; It., Sp., & Pg. motivo, Pr. motiu.] Causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move; as, a motive argument; motive power.
3 entries under this word
Motive
Mō'tive2, n.
n. [Fr. motif, It., Sp., & Pg. motivo.]
Sense 1. That which moves; a mover. [Obs.] Shak.
Sense 2. That which incites to action; any thing prompting or exciting to choice, or moving the will; cause; reason; inducement.
Sense 3. (Mus.) The theme or subject; a leading phrase or passage which is reproduced and varied through the course of a composition or a movement. [Written also motivo.]
Synonyms—Incentive; incitement; inducement; reason; spur; stimulus; cause.—MOTIVE, INDUCEMENT, REASON. Motive is the word ordinarily used in speaking of that which determines the choice. We call it an inducement when it is attractive in its nature, leading us forward by an appeal to our natural desires for good. We call it a reason when it is more immediately addressed to the intellect in the form of argument. “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.” Edwards.
He lives Higher degree of life; inducement strong For us. Milton.
Mō'tive3, v. t.
v. t. To supply a motive to or for; to prompt or incite by a motive or motives; to move.
The divine punishments are motived by the divine wisdom acting for the good of some great whole. Wm. Smith.