motif
[noun]
Synonyms:
- theme, concept, idea, leitmotif, subject
- design, decoration, ornament, shape

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English Thesaurus: pattern, design, markings, moti

[TahlilGaran] English Synonym Dictionary ▲

mo‧tif /məʊˈtiːf $ moʊ-/ noun [countable]
[Date: 1800-1900; Language: French; Origin: Old French; ⇒ motive¹]

1. an idea, subject, or image that is regularly repeated and developed in a book, film, work of art etc:
The theme of creation is a recurrent motif in Celtic mythology.

2. a small picture or pattern used to decorate something plain:
a white T-shirt with a blue fish motif

3. an arrangement of notes that is often repeated in a musical work

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲

motif
noun
ADJ. central, dominant Alienation is a central motif in her novels.
recurring | simple The rug was decorated with a simple flower motif.
decorative | fish, flower, etc. The jacket has a rose motif on the collar.
VERB + MOTIF be decorated with, have

[TahlilGaran] Collocations Dictionary ▲

pattern a regularly repeated arrangement of shapes, colours, or lines on a surface:
Some of his pictures use patterns of dots.
The lines formed a regular pattern.
design a pattern used for decorating something, especially cloth or paper:
curtains with a floral design (=based on flowers)
markings the coloured patterns and shapes on an animal’s fur, feathers, or skin:
the tiger’s black and orange markings
motif formal a single shape that is regularly repeated to form a pattern which decorates something:
A triangle within a square is a very common motif in Muslim art.
The shield motif in the frescoes at Knossos is a religious, not a military, symbol.

[TahlilGaran] English Thesaurus ▲