motive

(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. Synonyms: motivation, need. Examples: "We did not understand his motivation." "He acted with the best of motives."

(noun) a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music. Synonyms: motif.

(noun) a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration. Synonyms: motif.

(adj) causing or able to cause motion. Synonyms: motive(prenominal), motor. Examples: "A motive force." "Motive power." "Motor energy."

(adj) impelling to action. Synonyms: motivative(prenominal), motive(prenominal), motivating. Examples: "It may well be that ethical language has primarily a motivative function"- arthur pap." "Motive pleas." "Motivating arguments."