motive

 
Pronunciation: /ˈməʊtɪv/

noun

  • 1a reason for doing something: police were unable to establish a motive for his murder
  • 2a motif in art, literature, or music.

adjective

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

Derivatives

motiveless

adjective

motivity

Pronunciation: /-ˈtɪvɪti/
noun

Origin:

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