The theme or subject; a leading phrase or passage which is reproduced and varied through the course of a comor a movement; a short figure, or melodic germ, out of which a whole movement is develpoed. See also Leading motive, under Leading.

That which produces conception, invention, or creation in the mind of the artist in undertaking his subject; the guiding or controlling idea manifested in a work of art, or any part of one.

a very small melodic unit.

A short musical phrase that is used and developed to unify a piece. Although some musicians use the words "motive" and " theme" interchangeably, most consider motives to be shorter and more fragmentary. From that point of view themes are made up of motives, so that the famous theme of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, for example, combines two versions of the "short-short-short-long" motive.

A specific need or desire, such as hunger or achievement, that energizes and directs behavior.

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; "we did not understand his motivation"; "he acted with the best of motives"

a dream or a desire

a hope, or a desire, to achieve something

That which moves; a mover.

That which incites to action; anything prompting or exciting to choise, or moving the will; cause; reason; inducement; object; motivation{2}.

Causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move; as, a motive argument; motive power.

To prompt or incite by a motive or motives; to move.

reasons (e.g. achievement, affiliation and power) that drive, direct and select an individual's behaviour.

The reason why someone commits a crime.

a reason for doing something

A factor that determines a person's choice of one course of behaviour from among several possibilities.