motif

noun mo·tif \mō-ˈtēf\

: something (such as an important idea or subject) that is repeated throughout a book, story, etc.

: a single or repeated design or pattern

Full Definition of MOTIF

: a usually recurring salient thematic element (as in the arts); especially : a dominant idea or central theme

: a single or repeated design or color

— mo·tif·ic \-ˈtē-fik, -ˈti-\ adjective

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Examples of MOTIF

… a hip awareness of its own cheesy implausibility, right down to the music: The thunderously orchestrated score uses “Itsy Bitsy Spider” as a motif. —People, 29 July 2002
In retrospect, it is now clear that the alien invasion motif in 1950s science fiction movies reflected the Cold War atmosphere of the period. —Paul A. Cantor, Gilligan Unbound, 2001
The first-class scowl, shaved head and scars on his right shoulder and biceps fit the tough-guy motif, but it's a facade. —Ric Bucher, ESPN, 28 May 2001
The branding is done by combining a commercial trademark with one or another subcultural motif, a subculture the buyer belongs to or wants to join: surfing, skateboarding, … —John Seabrook, New Yorker, 20 Sept. 1999
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Origin of MOTIF

French, motive, motif, from Middle French — more at motive

First Known Use: 1848

Related to MOTIF

Synonyms: content, matter, motive, question, subject, theme, topic

Other Fine Arts Terms

Gothic, baroque, bas-relief, limn, oeuvre, pastiche, rococo, sfumato

Rhymes with MOTIF

bay leaf, belief, crew chief, debrief, drop leaf, endleaf, enfeoff, fig leaf, fire chief, flyleaf, gold leaf, in brief, in chief, kerchief, loose-leaf, massif, naïf, O'Keeffe, red leaf, relief, sharif, shinleaf, sneak thief, Tallchief

Medical Dictionary

motif

noun mo·tif \mō-ˈtēf\

Medical Definition of MOTIF

: a distinctive usually recurrent molecular sequence (as of amino acids or base pairs) or structural elements (as of secondary protein structures) <a simple protein motif consisting of two alpha helices>