[
UK
/mˈəʊtɪv/
]
[ US /ˈmoʊtɪv/ ]
[ US /ˈmoʊtɪv/ ]
NOUN
- a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music
- a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration
-
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
ADJECTIVE
-
causing or able to cause motion
a motive force
motor energy
motive power -
impelling to action
motive pleas
motivating arguments
it may well be that ethical language has primarily a motivative function
How To Use motive In A Sentence
- It is not just a projection of human motives on to a neutral universe.
- We must remember that the prime motive for Housmann's boulevards and circuses was to ensure that a strategically placed cannon could fire down many streets, quelling the citizens who were periodically disposed to revolution.
- But the motive behind her achievement was not self-interest alone, nor the desire to carry aloft the banner of feminism.
- I was suspicious of his motives.
- It will be given a tender from another departed locomotive and regain its former Sierra appearance.
- I am speaking of the ease with which motives are impugned, lifestyles derogated, name-calling condoned, individuals and groups demonized. The Ten Commandments
- What do you suppose the killer's motive was?
- Both Hyundai and Nissan have reversed their U.S. automotive fortunes but to differing degrees.
- Relaxing, in amusement at her unwonted altruism of motive, she had drawn her moleskin coat more closely around her, and settled back to wait the other woman's pleasure in returning to the bright warmth that the pale-orange ribbon of light, wavering upon the swaying platform, harbingered. Undesirables
- What makes life dreary is the want of a motive.