The Clue
Whodunit necessity (6 letter answer)
The Answer
MOTIVE
Tags
Notes
The answer MOTIVE is rarely seen, appearing only about once every 1200 puzzles.
Related Clues
Incentive
Inducement
Reason
Mystery element
Sleuth's object
Stimulus or goal
Murder mystery necessity
Whodunit plot element
Envy, anger or greed, maybe
Definition
MOTIVE as a noun:
1. (motivation, motive, need) = 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; "we did not understand his motivation"; "he acted with the best of motives"
2. (motif, motive) = a theme that is elaborated on in a piece of music
MOTIVE as an adjective:
1. (motive, motor) = causing or able to cause motion; "a motive force"; "motive power"; "motor energy"
2. (motivative, motive, motivating) = impelling to action; "it may well be that ethical language has primarily a motivative function"- Arthur Pap; "motive pleas"; "motivating arguments"