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; we did not understand his motivation; he acted with the best of motives

[ Syn: motivation , need ]

a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music

[ Syn: motif ]

a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration

[ Syn: motif ]

causing or able to cause motion; a motive force; motive power; motor energy

[ Syn: motor ]

impelling to action; it may well be that ethical language has primarily a motivative function- Arthur Pap; motive pleas; motivating arguments

[ Syn: motivative , motivating ]