motive

The story

1. Anglo-Normanmotif
2. Middle Frenchmotif
3. Proto-Indo-European*m(y)ewh₁-
4. Proto-Indo-European*m(y)owh₁éyeti
5. Proto-Italic*moweō
6. Latinmoveō
7. Latinmōtus
8. Late Latinmōtīvum
9. Middle Englishmotif
10. English todaymotive

From Middle English motif, from Anglo-Norman motif, Middle French motif, and their source, Late Latin motivum (“motive, moving cause”), neuter of motivus.

First known use, by meaning

• 14th–17th c. An idea or communication that makes one want to act, especially from spiritual sources; a divine prompting.
• from 15th c. An incentive to act in a particular way; a reason or emotion that makes one want to do something; anything that prompts a choice of action.
• from 18th c. Something which causes someone to want to commit a crime; a reason for criminal behaviour.
• 15th–17th c. A limb or other bodily organ that can move.