Emily Dickinson Lexicon

MO'TIVE, n. [It. Sp. and Port. motivo; Fr. motif. See Move.]

1. That which incites to action; that which determines the choice, or moves the will. Thus we speak of good motives, and bad motives; strong and weak motives. The motive to continue at rest is ease or satisfaction; the motive to change is uneasiness, or the prospect of good.
2. That which may or ought to incite to action; reason; cause.
3. A mover. [Not in use.] Shak.