adjective
motive
Making something move or act.
An electric motor supplies the motive power for the conveyor.
Etymology
The Latin ancestor means moving or causing movement. Motive in this sense directly describes the force or agent that makes something move.
More examples
- Steam provides the motive force that turns the turbine.
- These pumps use flowing water as their motive power.
- Curiosity is the motive force behind her research.
Forms
motive
motivate verb — To give someone a reason to act.
Similar words
- driving
- Emphasizes the force that pushes a process or action forward.
- propulsive
- Specifically describes a force that pushes something physically forward.
- motivating
- Emphasizes encouraging someone to act rather than producing physical movement.