definition of
motive

[1] #1 motive n. [motivation, need] 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"; "he acted with the best of motives". wn

[2] #2 motive s. [motor] causing or able to cause motion; "a motive force"; "motive power"; "motor energy". wn

[3] #3 motive n. [motif] a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music. wn

[4] #4 motive s. [motivative, motivating] impelling to action; "it may well be that ethical language has primarily a motivative function"- Arthur Pap; "motive pleas"; "motivating arguments". wn

[5] #5 motive n. [motif] a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration. wn