Associations to the word «Motif»

Wiktionary

MOTIF, noun. A recurring or dominant element; a theme.
MOTIF, noun. (music) A short melodic passage that is repeated in several parts of a work.
MOTIF, noun. A decorative figure that is repeated in a design or pattern.
MOTIF, noun. (dressmaking) A decorative appliqué design or figure, as of lace or velvet, used in trimming.
MOTIF, noun. (crystallography) The physical object or objects repeated at each point of a lattice. Usually atoms or molecules.
MOTIF, noun. (chess) A basic element of a move in terms of why the piece moves and how it supports the fulfilment of a stipulation.
MOTIF, noun. (biochemistry) In a nucleotide or amino-acid sequence, pattern that is widespread and has, or is conjectured to have, a biological significance.

Dictionary definition

MOTIF, noun. A design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration.
MOTIF, noun. A theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music.
MOTIF, noun. A unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work; "it was the usual `boy gets girl' theme".

Wise words

Words derive their power from the original word.
Meister Eckhart