motif

Everyday

1. A pattern or picture that is repeated in a design, such as on fabric or wallpaper: a flower motif. tree →
2. An idea, image or theme that keeps coming back in a story, film or piece of music. tree →
3. (music) A short group of notes repeated in a piece. tree →

In the lessons

In art and design lessons, pupils create a motif and repeat it to make a pattern (printing, tiles). In English lessons, a motif is a repeated symbol in a story (for example, the colour red or a storm). In music, a motif is a short tune idea. Phrases: a flower motif, recurring motif, repeat the motif.

Examples

• We printed a leaf motif across the fabric. tree →
• The T-shirt has a star motif on the front. tree →
• Light and dark is a motif in the story. tree →
• Repeat your motif to make a pattern. tree →
• The tiles have a blue wave motif. tree →
• That four-note motif comes back again and again in the music. tree →
• The castle is a motif in many fairy tales. tree →
• Parallels.--The lover visiting his spouse in guise of a bird, is a frequent motif in folk-tales. tree →

Note

Countable: motifs. Said moh-TEEF (from French). Do not confuse with «motive» (a reason for doing something), which looks similar. In maths art, repeating and reflecting a motif makes a tessellation or symmetry pattern.