motive motive

noun

() the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior  ( motivation, need, motive )
the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
 we did not understand his motivation
we did not understand his motivation
 he acted with the best of motives
he acted with the best of motives

a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration  ( motive, motif )
a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration

a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music  ( motive, motif )
a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music

adj

() causing or able to cause motion  ( motor, motive )
causing or able to cause motion
 a motive force
a motive force
 motive power
motive power
 motor energy
motor energy

impelling to action  ( motivative, motive, motivating )
impelling to action
 it may well be that ethical language has primarily a motivative function
it may well be that ethical language has primarily a motivative function
 motive pleas
motive pleas
 motivating arguments
motivating arguments