Motivate \Mo"ti*vate\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. -vated; p. pr. & vb. n. -vating.]

[From Motive, n.]

To provide with a motive; to move; impel; induce; incite. -- Mo`ti*va"tion, n. --William James.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)