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   motive

   /ˈməʊtɪv/

   noun

   • 1. a reason for doing something: "police were unable to establish a motive for his murder" Similar reasonmotivationmotivating forcerationalegroundscausebasisoccasionthinkingthe whys and whereforesobjectpurposeintentiondesignincentiveinducementimpulseincitementinfluencelureinspirationstimulusstimulationspurgoadprovocationpressurepersuasionconsideration
   • 2. a motif in art, literature, or music. Similar motifthemeideaconceptsubjecttopicleitmotiftropeelement

   adjective

   • 1. producing physical or mechanical motion: "the charge of gas is the motive force for every piston stroke"
   • 2. causing or being the reason for something: "the motive principle of a writer's work"

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

   Derivatives

   • 1. motiveless adjective
   • 2. motivelessly adverb
   • 3. motivelessness noun
   • 4. motivity noun

   Scrabble Points: 11

   • M

     3

   • O

     1

   • T

     1

   • I

     1

   • V

     4

   • E

     1

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