the motive for the killing — il movente dell'omicidio
from the best motives — con le migliori intenzioni
an ulterior motive — un secondo fine
English-Italian dictionary. 2013.
motive — mo·tive n [Anglo French motif, from Middle French motif adjective, moving, from Medieval Latin motivus, from Latin motus, past participle of movēre to move]: something (as a need or desire) that causes a person to act ◇ In criminal law, motive is … Law dictionary
Motive — Mo tive, n. [F. motif, LL. motivum, from motivus moving, fr. L. movere, motum, to move. See {Move}.] 1. That which moves; a mover. [Obs.] Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. That which incites to action; anything prompting or exciting to choise, or moving… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Motive — Mo tive, a. Causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move; as, a motive argument; motive power. Motive faculty. Bp. Wilkins. [1913 Webster] {Motive power} (Mach.), a natural agent, as water, steam, wind, electricity, etc., used to… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Motive power — Motive Mo tive, a. Causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move; as, a motive argument; motive power. Motive faculty. Bp. Wilkins. [1913 Webster] {Motive power} (Mach.), a natural agent, as water, steam, wind, electricity, etc., used… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
Motive — Mo tive, v. t. To prompt or incite by a motive or motives; to move. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
motive — mo|tive1 [ moutıv ] noun count ** the reason you do something: Her motive was a genuine desire to improve conditions. motive for: The motive for the attack is still unknown. a. used in a negative way for showing that someone s real reasons for… … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
motive — mo•tive [[t]ˈmoʊ tɪv[/t]] n. adj. v. tived, tiv•ing 1) something that causes a person to act in a certain way, do a certain thing, etc.; incentive 2) the goal or object of a person s actions: Her motive was revenge[/ex] 3) motif 1) 4) causing or… … From formal English to slang
motive — 1. An acquired predisposition, need, or specific state of tension within an individual which arouses, maintains, and directs behavior toward a goal. SYN: learned drive. 2. The reason attributed to or given by an individual for a behavioral act.… … Medical dictionary
motive — mo·tive || məʊtɪv n. something that causes a person to act, cause, incentive, purpose, intention; motif adj. of motion, of reason or cause; inspiring to action … English contemporary dictionary
motive — mo·tive … English syllables
motive power — mo′tive pow′er n. mec any power used to impart motion to machinery; any source of mechanical energy • Etymology: 1615–25 … From formal English to slang
