ˈməutɪv n.,
adj., & v. --n. 1 a
factor or
circumstance that induces a
person to
act in a
particular way. 2 =
MOTIF. --adj. 1 tending to
initiate movement. 2
concerned with movement. --v.tr. =
MOTIVATE. ømotive
power a
moving or impelling power,
esp. a
source of
energy used to
drive machinery. øømotiveless adj. motivelessly adv. motivelessness n. motivity n. [ME f. OF motif (adj. & n.) f. LL motivus (adj.) (as MOVE)]