Motive (law)
WordNet
noun
(1) 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"
(2) A theme that is elaborated on in a piece of music
WiktionaryText
Noun
- An incentive to act; a reason for doing something; anything that prompted a choice of action.
- What would his motive be for burning down the cottage?
- No-one could understand why she had hidden the shovel; her motives were obscure at best.
- ; 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.
Verb
Adjective
- 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
Verb
- imperative form of motiver
- singular present imperfect form of motiver
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