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motif
[moh-teef]
noun
a recurring subject, theme, idea, etc., especially in a literary, artistic, or musical work.
a distinctive and recurring form, shape, figure, etc., in a design, as in a painting or on wallpaper.
a dominant idea or feature.
Pulmonary problems were a grim motif in his life.
Biochemistry., a distinct pattern of amino acids in a function-specific protein sequence.
No polyproline motif has been observed in these yeast proteins.
motif
/ məʊˈtiːf /
noun
a distinctive idea, esp a theme elaborated on in a piece of music, literature, etc
Also: motive. a recurring form or shape in a design or pattern
a single added piece of decoration, such as a symbol or name on a jumper, sweatshirt, etc
motif
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.
Word History and Origins
Origin of motif1
Example Sentences
Perhaps the most special item is a trunk covered in the Millefiori motif with a plaque that reads “Beverly Hills.”
This feature, known as the M5 motif, acts as a molecular signature that signals when an enzyme can truly break down PET.
The Gatsby motif — a glittering party meant to dazzle, distract and impress — played out in real life as guests toasted while federal benefits quietly lapsed.
Two girls, their faces streaked with tears, gently caressed the face of a dead man, wrapped in a sheet with a floral motif, and then hugged each other tightly.
That motif originated with his 2009 directorial debut, “Crazy Heart,” starring Jeff Bridges as a faded country music legend caught in the throes of alcoholism and trying to find a way forward.
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