- Main Entry:
- 1mo·tive
- Pronunciation:
-
\ˈmō-tiv, 2 is also mō-ˈtēv\
- Function:
- noun
- Etymology:
- Middle English, from Anglo-French motif, motive, from motif, adjective, moving, from Medieval Latin motivus, from Latin motus, past participle of movēre to move
- Date:
- 15th century
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 \-ləs\ adjective — mo·tive·less·ly adverb
—
mo·ti·vic \mō-ˈtē-vik\ adjective synonyms 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>.
