Horses, mules, jacks, oxen, and sometimes cows, formed the motive power.

If not, then what could have formed the motive for the man's abrupt flight from the scene?

There was a committeeman from every county in the state-themen who formed the motive cogs of his machine.

The egotism of the despot, conscious of his selfish aims and deliberate in their execution, formed the motive principle in all alike.

But do not believe that it was anything either present or wanting in poor Janet that formed the motive of her husband's cruelty.