3  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Incentive  \In*cen"tive\,  a.  [L.  incentivus  from  incinere  to 
  strike  up  or  set  the  tune;  pref.  in-  +  canere  to  sing.  See 
  {Enchant},  {Chant}.] 
  1.  Inciting;  encouraging  or  moving  rousing  to  action 
  stimulative. 
 
  Competency  is  the  most  incentive  to  industry.  --Dr. 
  H.  More 
 
  2.  Serving  to  kindle  or  set  on  fire.  [R.] 
 
  Part  incentive  reed 
 
  Provide,  pernicious  with  one  touch  of  fire. 
  --Milton. 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Incentive  \In*cen"tive\,  n.  [L.  incentivum.] 
  That  which  moves  or  influences  the  mind,  or  operates  on  the 
  passions;  that  which  incites,  or  has  a  tendency  to  incite,  to 
  determination  or  action  that  which  prompts  to  good  or  ill; 
  motive;  spur;  as  the  love  of  money,  and  the  desire  of 
  promotion,  are  two  powerful  incentives  to  action 
 
  The  greatest  obstacles,  the  greatest  terrors  that  come 
  in  their  way  are  so  far  from  making  them  quit  the  work 
  they  had  begun,  that  they  rather  prove  incentives  to 
  them  to  go  on  in  it  --South. 
 
  Syn:  Motive;  spur;  stimulus;  incitement;  encouragement; 
  inducement;  influence. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  incentive 
  n  1:  a  positive  motivational  influence  [syn:  {inducement}]  [ant: 
  {disincentive}] 
  2:  an  additional  payment  to  employees  as  a  means  of  increasing 
  output  [syn:  {bonus}] 

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