n.[C]

1. 动机；主旨；目的[（+of/for）]
   His sole motive was to make her happy.

   他唯一的目的就是使她幸福。

   I believe that Martin had two motives.

   我相信马丁有着双重动机。

2. （文艺作品的）主题

a.

1. 成为原动力的，起动的，推动的
   The water provides the motive power that turns the mill wheel.

   水提供了转动轮子的动力。

   For many years the motive power of trains was steam.

   好多年，火车的动力是蒸汽。

vt.

1. 使产生动机，激起

n.

1. a reason for doing something.
2. a motif.

adj.

1. producing physical or mechanical motion.
2. acting as a motive.