motiven.[F. motif, LL. motivum, from motivus moving, fr. L. movere, motum, to move. See Move.]1. That which moves; a mover.(Shak.)2. That which incites to action; anything prompting or exciting to choise, or moving the will; cause; reason; inducement; object; motivation{2}.()By motive, I mean the whole of that which moves, excites, or invites the mind to volition, whether that be one thing singly, or many things conjunctively. (J. Edwards.)3. (Mus.) The theme or subject; a leading phrase or passage which is reproduced and varied through the course of a comor a movement; a short figure, or melodic germ, out of which a whole movement is develpoed. See also Leading motive, under Leading.()4. (Fine Arts) That which produces conception, invention, or creation in the mind of the artist in undertaking his subject; the guiding or controlling idea manifested in a work of art, or any part of one.()()a. Causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move; as, a motive argument; motive power.(Bp. Wilkins.)Motive power (Mach.), a natural agent, as water, steam, wind, electricity, etc., used to impart motion to machinery; a motor; a mover.()v. t. To prompt or incite by a motive or motives; to move.()
