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Meaning of motive in English

  1. Pronunciation

    /ˈmoʊdɪv/

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  1. Noun

    motive

    Etymology

    late Middle English: from Old French motif (adjective used as a noun), from late Latin motivus, from movere‘to move’

    Definitions

    1. the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal

    Examples

    • « 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. 2. a theme that is elaborated on in a piece of music

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