motive English · revision 15146

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1362|origins=la moveō}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈməʊ.tɪv/, US /ˈmoʊ.t̬ɪv/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[inh|enm|motif]], [[bor|fro|motif|t=will, drive, motivation]], the noun use of an adjective meaning “moving”,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[la-med|mōtīvus|t=moving, impelling]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) from [[la|mōtus|t=moved, a moving]], the past participle of [[m|la|moveō|t=to move]] (see [[move]]),^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[ine-pro|*meue-|t=to push away]].^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ Something put forward as an argument or proposition: 1362 in the OED, before 1376 in Piers Plowman in Barnhart, the late 14th century in Etymonline.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ The adjective, causing motion, is from 1392.^(Barnhart 1988) A moving impression on the mind is from about 1386, and an inward prompting, as in ''of one's own motive'', from 1456.^(OED 1989) The main modern sense, what moves a person to act, is from about 1412 in the OED, before 1439 in Barnhart.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988) Several senses are obsolete: an argument (about 1449), a mover or instigator (1600), and a moving limb, found only in Shakespeare (1593).^(OED 1989) It is also used for a [[motif]] in art or music.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1362 – an argument, proposition.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1392 – motive (adjective).^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1456 – an inward prompting.^(OED 1989)

+ * c. 1412 – a reason for acting.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1600 – an instigator (obsolete).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # The reason or impulse behind an action, conscious or unconscious.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A [[motif]] in art, literature or music.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Adjective===

+ # Causing or able to cause motion: ''a motive force''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Impelling to action; motivating.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To [[motivate]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[motiveless]]

+ * [[motivelessly]]

+ * [[motivic]]

+ * [[motivelessness]]

+ * [[automotive]]

+ * [[electromotive]]

+ * [[motivity]]

+ * [[motive power]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[motif]]

+ * [[motivate]]

+ * [[motion]]

+ * [[move]]

+ * [[emotion]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}