Definition of "motive"
- noun
An incentive to act; a reason for doing something; anything that prompted a choice of action.
A motif; a theme or subject, especially one that is central to the work or often repeated.
- verb
To prompt or incite by a motive or motives; to move.
- adjective
Causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move; as, a motive argument; motive power.
Relating to motion and/or to its cause.
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