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n. Something, such as the fear of punishment or the expectation of reward, that induces action or motivates effort. adj. Serving to induce or motivate: an incentive bonus for high productivity. [Middle English, from Late Latin incentīvum, from neuter of incentīvus, inciting, from Latin, setting the tune, from incentus, past participle of incinere, to sound : in-, intensive pref.; see IN-2 + canere, to sing; see kan- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.] |
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