motive

the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior

“he acted with the best of motives”

a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music

impelling to action

“motive pleas”

causing or able to cause motion

“a motive force”

a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration