Meaning of MOTIF
| Pronunciation: | | mow'teef
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 WordNet Dictionary |
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| | Definition: | |
- [n] a design that consists of recurring shapes or colors
- [n] a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in a literary or artistic work; "it was the usual `boy gets girl' theme"
- [n] a theme that is elaborated on in a piece of music
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| | Synonyms: | | motive, theme |
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| | See Also: | | design, figure, idea, idea, melodic theme, musical theme, obbligato, obligato, pattern, theme, thought | |
| Webster's 1913 Dictionary |
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| | Definition: | |
\Mo"tif\, n. [F.]
Motive.
\Mo`tif"\, n. [F.]
1. In literature and the fine arts, a salient feature or
element of a composition or work; esp., the theme, or
central or dominant feature; specif. (Music), a motive.
This motif, of old things lost, is a favorite one
for the serious ballade. --R. M. Alden.
The design . . . is . . . based on the peacock -- a
motif favored by decorative artists of all ages.
--R. D. Benn.
2. (Dressmaking) A decorative appliqu['e] design or figure,
as of lace or velvet, used in trimming.
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| Computing Dictionary |
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| | Definition: | | The standard graphical user interface and window manager from OSF, running on the X Window System. |
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| Biology Dictionary |
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| | Definition: | | - Recurring characteristic or theme.
- The smallest group of atoms in a polymer that, when under the influence of a rotation-translation operator, will assemble the rest of the atoms in the chain.
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| Thesaurus Terms |
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| | Related Terms: | | action, anagnorisis, angle, architectonics, architecture, argument, atmosphere, background, background detail, basis, beading, binding, bordering, bordure, burden, case, catastrophe, chapter, characterization, color, complication, concept, concern, continuity, contrivance, convention, decoration, decorative composition, decorative style, denouement, design, detail, development, device, edging, element, episode, essence, fable, falling action, figure, fimbria, fimbriation, flounce, focus of attention, focus of interest, foil, foreground detail, form, frill, frilling, fringe, furbelow, galloon, gimmick, gist, head, heading, hem, idea, incident, issue, leitmotif, leitmotiv, line, list, living issue, local color, main point, matter, matter in hand, meat, mood, motive, movement, mythos, national style, ornament, ornamental motif, pattern, period style, peripeteia, phrase, plan, plot, point, point at issue, point in question, problem, question, recognition, refrain, repeated figure, rising action, rubric, ruffle, scheme, secondary plot, selvage, setting, skirting, slant, story, structure, style, subject, subject matter, subject of thought, subplot, substance, switch, text, thematic development, theme, tone, topic, touch, trimming, twist, valance, welt |
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