Imputes false motive (7)

I believe the answer is:

impetus

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'motive' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't understand how one could define the other.

'imputes false' is the wordplay.
'false' indicates anagramming the letters.
'imputes' anagrammed gives 'IMPETUS'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for impetus that I've seen before include "Motivation" , "Force that moves something along" , "Incentive, stimulus" , "Incentive - time's up (anag)" , "Drive" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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