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motif

   Also found in: Medical, Legal, Acronyms, Encyclopedia, Wikipedia, Hutchinson 0.35 sec.
mo·tif  (m-tf)
n.
1.
a. A recurrent thematic element in an artistic or literary work.
b. A dominant theme or central idea.
2. Music A short rhythmic or melodic passage that is repeated or evoked in various parts of a composition.
3. A repeated figure or design in architecture or decoration. See Synonyms at figure.

[French, from Old French, motive; see motive.]

motif [moh-teef]
Noun
1. a distinctive idea, esp. a theme elaborated on in a piece of music or literature
2. a recurring shape in a design
3. a single decoration, such as a symbol or name on a piece of clothing [French]
ThesaurusLegend:  Synonyms Related Words Antonyms
Noun1.motifmotif - a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration
pattern, design, figure - a decorative or artistic work; "the coach had a design on the doors"
2.motif - a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music
melodic theme, musical theme, theme, idea - (music) melodic subject of a musical composition; "the theme is announced in the first measures"; "the accompanist picked up the idea and elaborated it"
obbligato, obligato - a persistent but subordinate motif
3.motif - a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work; "it was the usual `boy gets girl' theme"
idea, thought - the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about; "it was not a good idea"; "the thought never entered my mind"
topos - a traditional theme or motif or literary convention; "James Joyce uses the topos of the Wandering Jew in his Ulysses"

motif
Translations

motif [məuˈtiːf] nmotivo (= theme); tema m
motif [məuˈtiːf] nmotif m
motif [məuˈtiːf] nMotiv nt
motif [məuˈtiːf] nmotivo


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? Mentioned in ? References in classic literature
 
I admit that I was absorbed by the distant view, so absorbed that I didn't notice then that the motif of the story is almost identical with the motif of "The Lagoon.
All his past was the VENUSBURG motif, while her he identified somehow with the PILGRIM'S CHORUS motif; and from the exalted state this elevated him to, he swept onward and upward into that vast shadow-realm of spirit-groping, where good and evil war eternally.
With three months of liberty I ought to make a start, though--if I could only get the necessary motif for it--the SOUL of the book.
 
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