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- Dictionarymotif/məʊˈtiːf/
noun
- 1. a decorative image or design, especially a repeated one forming a pattern: "the colourful hand-painted motifs which adorn narrowboats" Similar
- 2. a dominant or recurring idea in an artistic work: "superstition is a recurring motif in the book" Similar
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Learn the meaning of motif as a recurring element or feature in art, design, or biochemistry. See synonyms, examples, and related words for motif.
Motif is a noun that can mean a pattern or design, or an idea that appears repeatedly in a work of art, literature or music. Learn how to use motif in different contexts with examples and collocations from the Cambridge Dictionary.
A motif is a recurring element in a work of art, literature, or music. Learn the origin, usage, and synonyms of motif, and see how it differs from motive.
A motif is a pattern or design, or an idea that appears repeatedly in a work of art, literature or music. Learn how to use the word motif in different contexts and see examples from various sources.
- Motif Definition
- Motif Examples
- Why Do Writers Use Motifs?
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What is a motif? Here’s a quick and simple definition: Some additional key details about motifs: 1. Because motifs are so effective in communicating and emphasizing the main themes of a work, they're common in political speeches as well as in literature. 2. There are actually two working definitions of motif: one that defines motif as a special kin...
While motifs often do consist of literary symbols like the ones we describe above—the raven that stands for death, or the path that represents a way of life—the elements that make up motifs are not always things. In the examples below, you'll see cases in which the symbolic elements of a motif are sometimes things, sometimes actions, and sometimes ...
Writers incorporate motifs in their work for a number of reasons: 1. They help writers organize symbols, plot developments, and imagery into broader patterns that emphasize the main themes of the work. 2. They give a work a sense of structure and continuity by creating patterns that recur throughout the work. 3. They can help writers weave together...
The Wikipedia Page on Motif: A concise explanationof motif.The Dictionary Definition of Motif: A basic definition of the term, with a bit on the etymology: the word motifcomes from the French word for "dominant idea or theme."Theme vs. Motif: A helpful articlethat breaks down the difference between these two terms.A motif is an element or idea that recurs throughout a work of literature and helps develop the central themes. Learn how to identify motifs, distinguish them from themes and symbols, and explore examples from Romeo and Juliet and other texts.
A motif is a design, a theme, or a recurring element in art, literature, or music. Learn the word origin, synonyms, collocations, and usage of motif with sentences and examples.
Think about a pattern or design that moves throughout something when you hear motif. Have you ever been to a restaurant with a tropical or Wild West motif? Do you like dresses with a floral motif? In novels, a motif can be a recurring idea like revenge or an object that symbolizes an idea.