Motif
noun
A repeated design or pattern in a piece of art or music.
The motif of circles appears frequently in her painting.
Often appears as...
- floral motif
- recurring motif
noun
A theme or idea that appears again and again in a story or book.
The 'struggle against fate' is a common motif in Greek mythology.
Often appears as...
- literary motif
- symbolic motif
Usage tips
Academic
noun
A representative or symbolic element in an artistic work.
The artist incorporates human forms and nature motifs in his work.
Often appears as...
- artistic motif
- symbolic motif
Usage tips
Creative
noun
A distinctive sequence in a molecule of DNA.
Those motifs bind specific proteins and regulate the transcription from DNA to RNA.
Often appears as...
- dna motif
- sequence motif
Usage tips
Technical
noun
A repeated design or pattern in a piece of art or music.
The motif of circles appears frequently in her painting.
Often appears as...
- floral motif
- recurring motif
noun
A theme or idea that appears again and again in a story or book.
The 'struggle against fate' is a common motif in Greek mythology.
Often appears as...
- literary motif
- symbolic motif
Usage tips
Academic
noun
A representative or symbolic element in an artistic work.
The artist incorporates human forms and nature motifs in his work.
Often appears as...
- artistic motif
- symbolic motif
Usage tips
Creative
noun
A distinctive sequence in a molecule of DNA.
Those motifs bind specific proteins and regulate the transcription from DNA to RNA.
Often appears as...
- dna motif
- sequence motif
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/2Visual Repetition
In art or music, a motif is a visual or auditory element repeated to create a pattern or rhythm.
The piano piece had a motif of cascading notes that created a sense of flowing water.
Pro Tip 2/2Recognizing Motifs
Identify a motif by looking or listening for elements that are consistently present in the piece.
Every chapter in the book started with a motif of morning rituals.
Pro Tip 1/2Visual Repetition
In art or music, a motif is a visual or auditory element repeated to create a pattern or rhythm.
The piano piece had a motif of cascading notes that created a sense of flowing water.
Pro Tip 2/2Recognizing Motifs
Identify a motif by looking or listening for elements that are consistently present in the piece.
Every chapter in the book started with a motif of morning rituals.
Pro Tip 1/2Visual Repetition
In art or music, a motif is a visual or auditory element repeated to create a pattern or rhythm.
The piano piece had a motif of cascading notes that created a sense of flowing water.
Pro Tip 2/2Recognizing Motifs
Identify a motif by looking or listening for elements that are consistently present in the piece.
Every chapter in the book started with a motif of morning rituals.
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Video examples
See the Brooklyn Bridge...
inner attitude because who you are on the inside is how do you express outside to do not even aware and you're not thinking about the things that are happening the world around us if you're not educated they're not likely to change your behavior I decided to use bottles because of this unifying motif I
Video examples
The complex geometry of...
were preserved and further developed, resulting in fundamental advancements in scientific study and mathematics. Accompanying this was an increasingly sophisticated use of abstraction and complex geometry in Islamic art, from intricate floral motifs adorning carpets and textiles,
Video examples
Uri Alon: Why truly...
and that's where we made our most important discovery, that this complicated network is just made of a handful of simple, repeating interaction patterns like motifs in a stained glass window. We call them network motifs, and they're the elementary circuits that help us understand
Video examples
How love can help repair...
and became taka which again as i said earlier every disney movie is a motif for the human condition i mean this is reflective of how we are as a species if you remove love if you remove nurture from us we tend to descend into rage so really that film um i think teaches
Video examples
Sarah Lewis: Embrace the...
There were some motifs and elements that would come up again later in her life. I remember asking her what she thought of those early works. If you didn't know they were hers, you might not have been able to guess. She told me that a few didn't quite meet
Video examples
Pirates, nurses and...
of a human skull and a pair of crossed bones, because those motifs had signified death in so many cultures for centuries, that their meaning was instantly recognizable, even in the lawless, illiterate world of the high surrender or you'll suffer.
Video examples
Why should you read...
where humanity rules the stars in a giant feudal empire. This medieval motif goes beyond just the government. Unlike most interstellar sci-fi, Herbert's humans conquered the stars without any computers. Following an ancient war with robots,
Video examples
The origins of ballet -...
Ballet moved away from the royal court to the theater and survived the democratic revolutions and reforms that followed over the next century. With the advent of the romantic movement, fantasy and folklore themes became common motifs.
Video examples
A Symbol of New England...
local art teacher many of the students would use the motif as a subject he would see that building in their work over and over again and the point where one day a student brought it in and he said Oh motif number one again the name
Video examples
Context determines...
connect with us our past and the future and said then what are you looking for I said I'm looking for relief symbols motifs that will connect us to where we are coming from make us enjoy the
Video examples
See the Brooklyn Bridge...
inner attitude because who you are on the inside is how do you express outside to do not even aware and you're not thinking about the things that are happening the world around us if you're not educated they're not likely to change your behavior I decided to use bottles because of this unifying motif I
Video examples
The complex geometry of...
were preserved and further developed, resulting in fundamental advancements in scientific study and mathematics. Accompanying this was an increasingly sophisticated use of abstraction and complex geometry in Islamic art, from intricate floral motifs adorning carpets and textiles,
Video examples
Uri Alon: Why truly...
and that's where we made our most important discovery, that this complicated network is just made of a handful of simple, repeating interaction patterns like motifs in a stained glass window. We call them network motifs, and they're the elementary circuits that help us understand
Video examples
How love can help repair...
and became taka which again as i said earlier every disney movie is a motif for the human condition i mean this is reflective of how we are as a species if you remove love if you remove nurture from us we tend to descend into rage so really that film um i think teaches
Video examples
Sarah Lewis: Embrace the...
There were some motifs and elements that would come up again later in her life. I remember asking her what she thought of those early works. If you didn't know they were hers, you might not have been able to guess. She told me that a few didn't quite meet
Video examples
Pirates, nurses and...
of a human skull and a pair of crossed bones, because those motifs had signified death in so many cultures for centuries, that their meaning was instantly recognizable, even in the lawless, illiterate world of the high surrender or you'll suffer.
Video examples
Why should you read...
where humanity rules the stars in a giant feudal empire. This medieval motif goes beyond just the government. Unlike most interstellar sci-fi, Herbert's humans conquered the stars without any computers. Following an ancient war with robots,
Video examples
The origins of ballet -...
Ballet moved away from the royal court to the theater and survived the democratic revolutions and reforms that followed over the next century. With the advent of the romantic movement, fantasy and folklore themes became common motifs.
Video examples
A Symbol of New England...
local art teacher many of the students would use the motif as a subject he would see that building in their work over and over again and the point where one day a student brought it in and he said Oh motif number one again the name
Video examples
Context determines...
connect with us our past and the future and said then what are you looking for I said I'm looking for relief symbols motifs that will connect us to where we are coming from make us enjoy the
Example 1 of 10
Quote examples
Guy Gavriel Kay
Canadian Author
In general, the main themes emerge early for each book, even before the storyline and characters, as I research the time and place I want to draw upon. Having said that, every single book so far has offered me surprises en route, and these include motifs that come forward as I am writing.
Quote examples
Keanu Reeves
Canadian Actor
The truth is often terrifying, which I think is one of the motifs of Larry and Andrew's cinema. The cost of knowledge is an important theme. In the second and third films, they explore the consequences of Neo's choice to know the truth. It's a beautiful, beautiful story.
Quote examples
Claude Monet
French Artist
Finally here is a beautiful day, a superb sun like at Giverny. So I worked without stopping, for the tide at this moment is just as I need it for several motifs. This has bucked me up a bit.
Quote examples
Vivienne Westwood
English Designer
It's true the punk fashion itself was iconographic: rips and dirt, safety pins, zips, slogans, and hairstyles. These motifs were so iconic in themselves - motifs of rebellion.
Quote examples
Stephane Mallarme
French Poet
The poetic act consists of suddenly seeing that an idea splits up into a number of equal motifs and of grouping them; they rhyme.
Quote examples
Nina Simone
American Musician
I wasn't a jazz player, but a classical musician, and I improvised arrangements of popular songs using classical motifs.
Quote examples
Yayoi Kusama
Japanese Artist
I believe that eyes are very important motifs. That's something that can discern the peace and love.
Quote examples
Roy Ayers
English Musician
It's a wonderful feeling just being in this creative motif.
Quote examples
Holly Willoughby
English Celebrity
I have a thing about stars, they are my favourite motif.
Quote examples
Demis Roussos
Greek Musician
I'm a romantic singer. That's my nook, my motif.
Quote examples
Guy Gavriel Kay
Canadian Author
In general, the main themes emerge early for each book, even before the storyline and characters, as I research the time and place I want to draw upon. Having said that, every single book so far has offered me surprises en route, and these include motifs that come forward as I am writing.
Quote examples
Keanu Reeves
Canadian Actor
The truth is often terrifying, which I think is one of the motifs of Larry and Andrew's cinema. The cost of knowledge is an important theme. In the second and third films, they explore the consequences of Neo's choice to know the truth. It's a beautiful, beautiful story.
Quote examples
Claude Monet
French Artist
Finally here is a beautiful day, a superb sun like at Giverny. So I worked without stopping, for the tide at this moment is just as I need it for several motifs. This has bucked me up a bit.
Quote examples
Vivienne Westwood
English Designer
It's true the punk fashion itself was iconographic: rips and dirt, safety pins, zips, slogans, and hairstyles. These motifs were so iconic in themselves - motifs of rebellion.
Quote examples
Stephane Mallarme
French Poet
The poetic act consists of suddenly seeing that an idea splits up into a number of equal motifs and of grouping them; they rhyme.
Quote examples
Nina Simone
American Musician
I wasn't a jazz player, but a classical musician, and I improvised arrangements of popular songs using classical motifs.
Quote examples
Yayoi Kusama
Japanese Artist
I believe that eyes are very important motifs. That's something that can discern the peace and love.
Quote examples
Roy Ayers
English Musician
It's a wonderful feeling just being in this creative motif.
Quote examples
Holly Willoughby
English Celebrity
I have a thing about stars, they are my favourite motif.
Quote examples
Demis Roussos
Greek Musician
I'm a romantic singer. That's my nook, my motif.
Example 1 of 10
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