Definition of motive

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mo·tive    (mtv) KEY 

NOUN:

1. An emotion, desire, physiological need, or similar impulse that acts as an incitement to action.
2. (mtv, m-tv) A motif in art, literature, or music.

ADJECTIVE:

1. Causing or able to cause motion: motive power.
2. Impelling to action: motive pleas.
3. Of or constituting an incitement to action.

TRANSITIVE VERB:
mo·tived, mo·tiv·ing, mo·tives

To motivate.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English motif, motive, from Old French motif, from Late Latin mtvus, of motion, from Latin mtus, past participle of movre, to move; see meu- in Indo-European roots