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A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1971 (DOST Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Motive, Motif, n. Also: motiv, -yve, -iwe, -ywe; -iff-, -ife, -yf(e, -yif. [ME. and e.m.E. motyve (Piers Plowm.), motyf (Chaucer), -ive, -ife, F. motif n. (14th c.), f. motif Motive a.]

1. Anything which moves or prompts a person to a certain action; a motive, inducement or consideration leading to some action. c1400 Troy-bk. i. 116.
We had no motyf bot of ned c1420 Ratis R. 789, 791, 799.
Bot sic motyf mar thé mare: … The fyrst motyf of tham cal I Gret joy that hapnis sudandly To steir thi spreitis [etc.] … , The tothir motyve next I call Quhen sorow gret [etc.] 1439 Acts II. 54/1.
Quhat thing the saidis personis did … thai did it of gude … motife a1500 Henr. Fab. 1189 (Bann.).
This is my caus and motive in effect 1490 Irland Mir. I. 87/9.
In the syn and trespas of our first progenitouris the principale motif and caus was the hie state of science Ib. MS. 280.
The ferd motive induceand men to pennaunce Is the gret certitud … of ded 1531 Bell. Boece I. 93.
The motive of his weris aganis thaim was [etc.] a1585 Maitl. Q. lxvi. 74.
The dulcour feminine Quhilk at all tyme the maist motive hes bene To gentill hairtis … To move thair myndis 1586 Reg. Privy C. IV. 78.
Lying undir dangear of horning or proces of forfaltour or uthirwayes upoun sum uthir motive, thay durst not compeirplur. 1439 Acts II. 54/1.
The … princes … has … examinit … the caus and the motyuis be the quhilkis the foresaid persons war stirit to withdraw the foresaid liberte fra hir 1543 St. A. Formulare II. 275. 1545 Reg. Cupar A. II. 297.
The said Master of Ogilvy haueand grit motiuis mouand hyme for the veile of his bairnis and … his spous 1550 Reg. Privy C. I. 90.
That the fortis of Lauder. Dunglas, Roxburgh and Aymouth be all cassin doun for sic motivis as the said Maister of Erskin can schaw 1564–5 Reg. Privy S. V. i. 539/1. a1578 Pitsc. I. 119/35. Ib. 285/17.
Thir motiwes with vthir mae mowet the gentilmen and commonis hartis that war with the Erle of Douglas … for to favour the Kingis pairtie better

b. Common, esp. in records of legal acts, in the formuia of one's awin (fre) (also proper, meir) motive, of one's own volition, without coercion or pressure of any kind.(a) 1456 Hay I. 60/18.
Thre worthi princis come till him of thair awin curage and propre motyf Ib. 139/9.
Suppos the King of Spaynȝe send of his awin propre motyf socours of men on his awin cost 1498 Reg. Morton II. 253.
The said Thomas of his awin free motif for this gentrice and kyndnes … done til him … has … forgiven ane hundreth merkis … awand til him 1519 Dunferm. B. Rec. I. 294. 1544 Maxwell Mem. I. 289.
Of thair awin fre wil and motyif, wn coakit or compellit be ony man 1549 Black Bk. Taymouth 186.
Of my awin fre motyfe(b) 1511 Exch. R. XIII. 444.
We decerne thaim irritant cassant and annullant of oure awin propir motive and certane science 1511 Reg. Privy S. I. 355/1. 1513 Ib. 377/2. 1536 Reg. Great S. 395/1.
We … of oure kinglie power, fre motyue and autorite ryale grantis to thame … ane fair day 1541 Reg. Privy S. II. 665/1. 1547 Black Bk. Taymouth 185.
Thay … hes … chosyn of thayr awyn fre motywe … Jhon Cambell … to their cheyf 1564 Peebles B. Rec. I. 294.
Sir John Tuedy … off his awin fre motywe and spontaneall will … resignit … his rycht [etc.] 1567 Dysart Rec. 33.
Gelis Forbes … of her own motyve oblyst hir [etc.] 1592 Acts III. 627/1.
His hienes … off his certane knaulege and propir motiue with auise of the estatis ratifies [etc.] 1630 Skene Mem. 218.
His majestie … off his speciall grace favouris certane knawledge meir motive and deliberat mynd … constitutis [etc.] 1700 Kirkcudbr. Test. 27 Nov.
Mr Andreu Cameron [etc.] … are by ther own voluntary accepted motiv and good will overseers [etc.]

2. A consideration as grounds for believing something to be true or as an argument advanced in favour of some action. 1594 Facs. Nat. MSS. III. lxxv.
Ther is dywarse ald reportis motiffis and appirancis that thair suld be uithin the said Robertis dwelling place of Fascastell a soum of monie 1644 Aberd. B. Rec. IV. 32.
To vse all argumentis and motives for dissuading the inbringing of his army within the same

3. Suggestion, prompting. 1558-66 Knox II. 71.
Upoun thair motyvewas Johnne Willock send for