motive
noun [ C ] uk/ˈməʊ.tɪv/ us/ˈmoʊ.t̬ɪv/
B2 动机；（行动的）缘由；目的
a reason for doing something
Why would she have killed him? She has no motive. 为什么她会杀害他？她没有动机。
Does he have a motive for lying about where he was? 他有必要隐瞒自己去过哪里吗？
What is the motive behind (= the reason for) the bombing? 轰炸的动机是什么？
I think you should examine/question their motives in offering to lend you the money. 我认为你该仔细考虑一下／怀疑他们主动借钱给你的目的。
She denies that she has an ulterior (= secret) motive for making the donation. 她否认进行这一捐赠是别有用心。
- More examples
- He gives a lot of money to charity, but self-aggrandizement is his motive.
- The motive for this shocking attack seems to be racial hatred.
- Detectives have been unable to assign a motive for the murder.
- He claims he just wants to help Lisa but I suspect he has an ulterior motive.
motive
adjective [ before noun ] physics specialized uk/ˈməʊ.tɪv/ us/ˈmoʊ.t̬ɪv/
（引起）运动的;发动的;原动的
(of power or force) causing movement or action