motive

Pronunciation: /ˈmoʊtɪv/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
  2. noun a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music
  3. noun a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration

Etymology

From Middle English motif, from Anglo-Norman motif, Middle French motif, and their source, Late Latin motivum (“motive, moving cause”), neuter of motivus.

In classic literature

Synonyms

motivation, need

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
psychological feature
Narrower (hyponyms)
rational motive, urge, psychic energy, ethical motive, life, irrational motive

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