1
- a reason for doing something, especially one that is hidden or not obvious（尤指隐藏的）动机, 缘由：
a motive for his murder.
谋杀他的动机。
2
- a motif in art, literature, or music（文艺作品、音乐的）艺术思想, 主题。
attrib.
1
- producing physical or mechanical motion引起运动的：
the charge of gas is the motive force for every piston stroke.
气体的冲击是每一活塞冲程的动力。
2
- causing or being the reason for something引发的, 动因的; 驱动的：
the motive principle of a writer's work.
作家作品的动因创作原则。
派生词
motiveless
adjectivemotivelessly
adverbmotivelessness
noun词源
late Middle English: from Old French motif (adjective used as a noun)， from late Latin motivus, from movere 'to move'.