definition of
motif

[1] #1 motif n. [motive] a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration. wn

[2] #2 motif n. [motive] a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music. wn

[3] #3 motif n. [theme] a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work; "it was the usual 'boy gets girl' theme". wn