motive

Where does the word "motive" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin motivus, and was adopted directly into English (1400s).

Motive’s story begins in Medieval Latin: motivus meant “causing motion.” Moving, causing motion, from movere (to move). It reached English by 1400s as motive. Settled as the English word for the reason behind an action. Today, motive means a reason for a person's action or behavior.

1. Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval motivus "causing motion", moving, causing motion, from movere (to move).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1400s motive "the reason behind a person's action", settled as the English word for the reason behind an action.