Motive vs. Intention

Motive (noun)

An idea or communication that makes one want to act, especially from spiritual sources; a divine prompting. 14th-17th c.

Motive (noun)

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 15th c.

Motive (noun)

A limb or other bodily organ that can move. 15th-17th c.

Motive (noun)

Something which causes someone to want to commit a crime; a reason for criminal behaviour. from 18th c.

“What would his motive be for burning down the cottage?”

“No-one could understand why she had hidden the shovel; her motives were obscure at best.”

Motive (noun)

A motif. from 19th c.

Motive (noun)

A motif; a theme or subject, especially one that is central to the work or often repeated. from 19th c.

“If you listen carefully, you can hear the flutes mimicking the cello motive.”

Motive (verb)

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

Motive (adjective)

Causing motion; having power to move, or tending to move

“a motive argument”

“motive power”

Motive (adjective)

Relating to motion and/or to its cause

Intention (noun)

The goal or purpose behind a specific action or set of actions.

“The intention of this legislation is to boost the economy.”

“My intention was to marry a wealthy widow.”

“It’s easy to promise anything when you have no intention of fulfilling any of it.”

Intention (noun)

Tension; straining, stretching.

Intention (noun)

A stretching or bending of the mind toward an object; closeness of application; fixedness of attention; earnestness.

Intention (noun)

The object toward which the thoughts are directed; end; aim.

Intention (noun)

Any mental apprehension of an object.

Intention (noun)

The process of the healing of a wound.

Intention (verb)

Intend