SKIP TO CONTENT

motif

Definitions of motif
  1. noun
    a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration
    see moresee less
    type of:
    dessin, travail artistique
    a decorative or artistic work
  2. noun
    a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music
    see moresee less
    type of:
    mélodie, thème
    (music) melodic subject of a musical composition
  3. noun
    a decorative or artistic work
    see moresee less
    types:
    emblème
    special design or visual object representing a quality, type, group, etc.
    traits
    a pattern of marks
    emblème, fanion
    a distinguishing emblem
    cimier
    (heraldry) in medieval times, an emblem used to decorate a helmet
    croix
    a representation of the structure on which Jesus was crucified; used as an emblem of Christianity or in heraldry
    devise, emblème
    an emblematic design (especially in heraldry)
    bannière, drapeau, étendard
    emblem usually consisting of a rectangular piece of cloth of distinctive design
    blason, héraldique
    emblem indicating the right of a person to bear arms
    cachet
    a device incised to make an impression; used to secure a closing or to authenticate documents
    mât totémique
    a tribal emblem consisting of a pillar carved and painted with totemic figures; erected by Indian tribes of the northwest Pacific coast
    croisement, note
    a marking that consists of lines that cross each other
    tache
    a small contrasting part of something
    bande, rayure
    a narrow marking of a different color or texture from the background
    croix gammée, svastika
    the official emblem of the Nazi Party and the Third Reich; a cross with the arms bent at right angles in a clockwise direction
    type of:
    décoration, ornement
    something used to beautify
  4. noun
    the psychological feature that arouses an organism to action toward a desired goal; the reason for the action; that which gives purpose and direction to behavior
    synonyms: besoin, motivation
    see moresee less
    types:
    raison de vivre, vie
    a motive for living
    mobile rationnel, motif rationnel
    a motive that can be defended by reasoning or logical argument
    mobile irrationnel, motif irrationnel
    a motivation that is inconsistent with reason or logic
    morale
    motivation based on ideas of right and wrong
    énergie mentale, énergie psychique
    an actuating force or factor
    raison
    a rational motive for a belief or action
    encouragement, stimulant
    a positive motivational influence
    impulsion
    a strong spontaneous and irrational motivation
    manie, passion
    an irrational but irresistible motive for a belief or action
    conscience, sens moral
    motivation deriving logically from ethical or moral principles that govern a person's thoughts and actions
    provocation
    something that incites or provokes; a means of arousing or stirring to action
    type of:
    chose du psychisme
    a feature of the mental life of a living organism
Cite this entry
Style:
MLA
  • MLA
  • APA
  • Chicago

Copy citation
DISCLAIMER: These example sentences appear in various news sources and books to reflect the usage of the word ‘motif'. Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Vocabulary.com or its editors. Send us feedback
Word Family