1. A recurrent thematic element in an artistic or literary work.
2. A dominant theme or central idea.
3. music A short rhythmic or melodic passage that is repeated or evoked in various parts of a composition.
4. A repeated figure or design in architecture or decoration. see synonyms at figure.

1. A recurring or dominant element; a theme.
2. A short melodic passage that is repeated in several parts of a work
3. A decorative figure that is repeated in a design
4. the physical object or objects repeated at each point of a lattice. usually atoms or molecules.

1. motive.
2. in literature and the fine arts, a salient feature or element of a composition or work; esp., the theme, or central or dominant feature
3. A decorative appliqué design or figure, as of lace or velvet, used in trimming; also, a repeated design.

1. A middle english form of motive.
2. [F.] A datum, theme, or ground for intellectual action: used as french.
3. [F.] in music:
4. A figure.
5. A subject or theme, particularly one that recurs often in a dramatic work as a leading subject.

1. a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work
2. a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music
3. a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration