motive
Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary
See also Motive
Contents |
[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Noun
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Singular |
Plural |
motive (plural motives)
- An incentive to act; a reason for doing something; anything that prompted a choice of action.
- Although his questions seemed strange to me, I'm sure he had a good motive for asking them.
- Alternative spelling of motif; a theme or subject, especially one that is central to the work or often repeated.
- If you listen carefully, you can hear the flutes mimicking the cello motive.
[edit] Synonyms
- (incentive) motivation
[edit] Translations
that which incites to action
theme or subject
guiding or controlling idea manifested in a work of art
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Translations to be checked
[edit] Verb
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Infinitive |
Third person singular |
Simple past |
Past participle |
Present participle |
to motive (third-person singular simple present motives, present participle motiving, simple past and past participle motived)
[edit] Synonyms
[edit] Translations
to prompt or incite
[edit] Adjective
motive (not comparable)
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Positive |
Superlative |
- Causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move; as, a motive argument; motive power.
- 1658, Sir Thomas Browne, The Garden of Cyrus, Folio Society 2007, p. 195:
- In the motive parts of animals may be discovered mutuall proportions; not only in those of Quadrupeds, but in the thigh-bone, legge, foot-bone, and claws of Birds.
- 1658, Sir Thomas Browne, The Garden of Cyrus, Folio Society 2007, p. 195:
- Relating to motion and/or to its cause
[edit] Synonyms
[edit] Translations
causing motion
Relating to motion and/or to its cause
[edit] Croatian
[edit] Noun
motive m. (plural)
- Accusative plural form of motiv.
[edit] French
[edit] Verb
motive
[edit] Romanian
[edit] Pronunciation
- IPA: [moˈtive]
[edit] Noun
motive n. pl.
- Plural form of motiv.

