Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English homepage

Topic: PHYSICS

Date: 1400-1500
Language: Old French
Origin: motif, from Medieval Latin motivus, from Latin motus; MOTOR1

motive

2 adjective
     
motive2 [only before noun]
technicalHPTEM the motive power or force for a machine, vehicle etc makes it move:
Water provided the motive power for the mill.
Definition of motive from the Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English within
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atom atomic attract attraction beam black hole conduct conductor core dense density dynamic electron fallout focus frequency fusion gravity half-life Hz imaging ion laser lift magnet magnetic mass mechanical medium momentum motive nuclear photo- physical physics polar pole power pressure proton pull radiation ray reaction reflect resistance resonance retention solid-state sonic space spectrum strain stress tension transmit vacuum vector wave work

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