mid-14c., "something brought forward," from Old French motif "will, drive, motivation," noun use of adjective, literally "moving," from Medieval Latin motivus "moving, impelling," from Latin motus "a moving, motion," past participle of movere "to move" (see move (v.)). Meaning "that which inwardly moves a person to behave a certain way" is from early 15c.
motive (adj.)
late 14c., from Old French motif "moving" or directly from Medieval Latin motivus "moving, impelling," from past participle stem of movere "to move" (see move (v.)).
实用例句
1. Sheila had an ulterior motive for trying to help Stan.
希拉想帮助斯坦是另有所图的。
来自柯林斯例句
2. The motive of the executions would be to instil fear.
执行死刑的动机是要灌输恐惧。
来自柯林斯例句
3. Police have ruled out robbery as a motive for the killing.
