early 15c., from Late Latin incentivum, noun use of neuter of Latin adjective incentivus "setting the tune" (in Late Latin "inciting"), from past participle stem of incinere "strike up," from in- "in, into" (see in- (2)) + canere "sing" (see chant (v.)). Sense influenced by association with incendere "to kindle." The adjective use, in reference to a system of rewards meant to encourage harder work, first attested 1943 in jargon of the U.S. war economy; as a noun, in this sense, from 1948.
雙語(yǔ)例句
1. You get a big salary incentive and free board and lodging too.
你們能獲得大筆激勵(lì)性薪水,還可享受免費(fèi)膳宿。
來自柯林斯例句
2. It's the biggest financial incentive ever dangled before British footballers.