Main entry: need, motivation, motive
Definition: 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
Usage: we did not understand his motivation; he acted with the best of motives
Definition: a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration
Definition: a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music
Main entry: motivating, motivative, motive
Definition: impelling to action
Usage: it may well be that ethical language has primarily a motivative function- Arthur Pap; motive pleas; motivating arguments
Definition: causing or able to cause motion
Usage: a motive force; motive power; motor energy