Definition of Motive
Motive
mo·tive
Definition/Meaning
(noun)
someone's reason or rationale (motivation) for doing something, especially if this is not immediately obvious;
e.g. The evidence points to him being the culprit, but he doesn't seem to have a motive for committing the crime.
(noun)
a motif, i.e. an artistic theme or idea that is recurrent and that often develops over the course of the work;
e.g. Her artwork grows from the freedom motive.
(adjective)
being the reason for something;
e.g. Wanting to be fit and healthy is the motive principle that makes her go running every morning.
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Quotes
"The moment there is suspicion about a person's motive, everything he does becomes tainted." -- Mahatma Gandhi
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