motif

American  

[moh-teef] / moʊˈtif /

noun

1. a recurring subject, theme, idea, etc., especially in a literary, artistic, or musical work.

2. a distinctive and recurring form, shape, figure, etc., in a design, as in a painting or on wallpaper.

3. a dominant idea or feature.

   Pulmonary problems were a grim motif in his life.

4. Biochemistry. a distinct pattern of amino acids in a function-specific protein sequence.

   No polyproline motif has been observed in these yeast proteins.

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motif British  

/ məʊˈtiːf /

noun

1. a distinctive idea, esp a theme elaborated on in a piece of music, literature, etc

2. Also: motive.  a recurring form or shape in a design or pattern

3. a single added piece of decoration, such as a symbol or name on a jumper, sweatshirt, etc

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motif Cultural  

1. In literature, art, or music, a recurring set of words, shapes, colors, or notes. In the poem “The Raven,” by Edgar Allan Poe, for example, the word nevermore is a motif appearing at the end of each stanza. Likewise, the first four notes of the Fifth Symphony of Ludwig van Beethoven are a motif that is developed and reshaped throughout the work.

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Etymology

Origin of motif

First recorded in 1840–50; from French; see origin at motive

Explanation

The race car decor in your room, the refrain of a song, the idea or object that keeps popping up in a story — these are all motifs, reoccurring elements that move throughout and shape music, art and novels. This French import is related to the Latin verb movere which means "to move." Think about a pattern or design that moves throughout something when you hear motif. Have you ever been to a restaurant with a tropical or Wild West motif? Do you like dresses with a floral motif? In novels, a motif can be a recurring idea like revenge or an object that symbolizes an idea. A character might notice shadows throughout a story which symbolize his dark past.

Example Sentences

Scottish companies including Motif Studios, which worked on visual effects for a Mad Max film, and digital entertainment firm Blazing Griffin were involved in making the three minute-long short film.

From BBC • Oct. 9, 2024

This year’s event is a new partnership between Seattle Pride, Wunderland Events + JaqsNetwork and Hilton Motif Seattle’s Frolik restaurant.

From Seattle Times • May 31, 2024

At Motif in Woodland Hills, where at least 183 eviction notices went out this year, resident Tracey was in the process of moving out.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 7, 2023

Motif Foodworks told a Delaware federal court that plant-based meat rival Impossible Foods improperly hired private investigators who donned fake identities to solicit information about Motif's products during their patent dispute.

From Reuters • May 25, 2023

If you would like to introduce some of these concepts and terms to children, please see A Melody Activity20 , The Shape of a Melody2l, Melodic Phrases22 , and Theme and Motif in Music23 .

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones

Related Words

• concept
• logo
• pattern