motif

Definition from Wiktionary, a free dictionary

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Contents 1 English 1.1 Etymology 1.2 Pronunciation 1.3 Noun 1.3.1 Translations 1.3.2 Related terms 2 French 2.1 Etymology 2.2 Pronunciation 2.3 Noun

[edit] English

[edit] Etymology

From French motif (1848), with the meaning of main idea or theme

[edit] Pronunciation

• IPA: /məʊ'tif/

(mō-tēf́)

•  Audio (US)^{help, file}

  Rhymes: -iːf

[edit] Noun

motif (plural motifs)

1. A recurring or dominant element; a theme.

   See how the artist repeats the scroll motif throughout the work?

2. (music) A short melodic passage that is repeated in several parts of a work
3. A decorative figure that is repeated in a design
4. crystallography: The physical object or objects repeated at each point of a lattice. Usually atoms or molecules.

[edit] Translations

[edit] Related terms

• motive

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[edit] French

[edit] Etymology

From Late Latin motivus.

[edit] Pronunciation

•  audio^{help, file}

[edit] Noun

motif m. (plural motifs)

1. motive (motif)
2. pattern, design