motif Meaning, Definition & Usage

1. noun a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration
   motive.
   
2. noun a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music
   motive.
   
3. noun a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work
   theme.
   
   • it was the usual `boy gets girl' theme

WordNet