Motive

mō′tiv, adj. causing motion: having power to cause motion.— n. that which moves or excites to action: inducement: reason.— v.t. to act on as a motive, instigate.— v.t. Mō′tivāte , to act on as a motive, induce.— n. Motivā′tion .— adj. Mōtivele .— ns. Mō′tivele ne ; Mō′tive-power , or -force , the force acting upon a body so as to cause it to move; Motiv′ity , power of producing motion: the quality of being influenced by motion. [Fr., through Low L., from movēre , mōtum to move.]