motif, motive (noun)

a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration

motif, motive (noun)

a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music

theme, motif (noun)

a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work

"it was the usual `boy gets girl' theme"

motif (Noun)

A recurring or dominant element; a theme.

motif (Noun)

A short melodic passage that is repeated in several parts of a work

motif (Noun)

A decorative figure that is repeated in a design

motif (Noun)

The physical object or objects repeated at each point of a lattice. Usually atoms or molecules.