3 uses
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1 —2 uses as in:
What is her motive?
Definition
a reason for doing something
- On the whole, I wonder'd much how such a man came to be intrusted with so important a business as the conduct of a great army; but, having since seen more of the great world, and the means of obtaining, and motives for giving places, my wonder is diminished.
- I would say to him, Sir, I solicit the history of your life from the following motives: Your history is so remarkable, that if you do not give it, somebody else will certainly give it; and perhaps so as nearly to do as much harm, as your own management of the thing might do good.
There are no more uses of "motive" flagged with this meaning in The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.
Typical Usage
(best examples)
? —1 use
exact meaning not specified
- This condition carried the bill through; for the members, who had oppos'd the grant, and now conceiv'd they might have the credit of being charitable without the expence, agreed to its passage; and then, in soliciting subscriptions among the people, we urg'd the conditional promise of the law as an additional motive to give, since every man's donation would be doubled; thus the clause work'd both ways.
There are no more uses of "motive" in The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin.
Typical Usage
(best examples)