Motif
WordNet
noun
(1) A design that consists of recurring shapes or colors
(2) A unifying idea that is a recurrent element in a literary or artistic work
"It was the usual `boy gets girl' theme"
(3) A theme that is elaborated on in a piece of music
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From French motif (1848), with the meaning of main idea or theme
Noun
- A recurring or dominant element; a theme.
- See how the artist repeats the scroll motif throughout the work?
- A short melodic passage that is repeated in several parts of a work
- A decorative figure that is repeated in a design
- crystallography: The physical object or objects repeated at each point of a lattice. Usually atoms or molecules.