6 uses
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1 —1 use as in:
What is her motive?
Definition
a reason for doing something
- "The whole course of events," said Holmes, "from the point of view of the man who called himself Stapleton was simple and direct, although to us, who had no means in the beginning of knowing the motives of his actions and could only learn part of the facts, it all appeared exceedingly complex.Chapter 15 — A Retrospection (7% in)
There are no more uses of "motive" flagged with this meaning in The Hound of the Baskervilles.
Typical Usage
(best examples)
? —5 uses
exact meaning not specified
- There is a complete absence of motive.Chapter 13 — Fixing the Nets (10% in)
- My motive for withholding it from the coroner's inquiry is that a man of science shrinks from placing himself in the public position of seeming to indorse a popular superstition.Chapter 2 — The Curse of the Baskervilles (77% in)
- I had the further motive that Baskerville Hall, as the paper says, would certainly remain untenanted if anything were done to increase its already rather grim reputation.Chapter 2 — The Curse of the Baskervilles (78% in)
- The only conceivable motive was that which had been suggested by Sir Henry, that if the family could be scared away a comfortable and permanent home would be secured for the Barrymores.Chapter 7 — The Stapletons of Merripit House (19% in)
- So far as the Barrymores go we have found the motive of their actions, and that has cleared up the situation very much.Chapter 9 — Second Report of Dr. Watson (99% in)
There are no more uses of "motive" in The Hound of the Baskervilles.
Typical Usage
(best examples)