frequently_asked_questions_files/Oxford Thesaurus.pdf

aspen appear to be in constant motion. 2 mobility, movability,
motility: I could feel the motion gradually returning to my
numbed limbs. 3 gait, bearing, carriage, tread, walk, step:
The machine works with alternate upward and downward motions. 4
gesture, gesticulation, signal, sign: She made a motion for me
to come nearer. 5 proposal, suggestion, proposition,
recommendation, offering, submission: A motion must be seconded
by a member in good standing.
--v. 6 gesture, gesticulate, beckon, signal, sign, wave: The
cashier motioned to me and I went over to the window.
motivate v. prompt, activate, move, inspire, incite, induce, actuate,
stimulate, provoke, influence, encourage, occasion, bring about,
cause; excite, egg (on), urge, prod, spur, galvanize, goad,
rouse, arouse, stir (up), wheedle, coax, persuade, cajole,
tempt, push, impel, drive, instigate: The biggest problem is
motivating students to apply themselves to academic subjects.
motive n. 1 inducement, incentive, motivation, stimulus, motivating
force, stimulation, incitement, influence, cause, reason,
rationale, grounds; attraction, lure, enticement, goad, spur,
urge, prod: It is thought that jealousy was his motive for
murder. 2 purpose, aim, intention, intent, object, objective,
goal, end, arriŠre pens‚e (= 'hidden motive'); ambition, desire;
Colloq angle: I asked the chairman what his motive was in
trying to expand the company.
--adj. 3 driving, impelling, propelling, propulsive, moving,
kinetic, activating, operative: The motive power used in the
ultra-light aircraft is provided entirely by the pilot's
pedalling.
mottled adj. dappled, brindled, marbled, streaked, splodgy or US
splotchy, blotched, blotchy, freckled, spotted, spotty, patchy,
speckled, flecked, sprinkled, spattered, splashed, streaky,
stippled, pied, piebald; multicoloured, variegated,
particoloured, Colloq splodged or US splotched: Do you like
that mottled effect on the wallpaper?
motto n. maxim, proverb, saying, adage, saw, aphorism, apophthegm or
apothegm, gnome, slogan, byword, catchword, battle-cry, guide,
moral, principle, rule, precept: The motto of the Order of the