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motif definition

mo·tif (mō tēf′)

noun

  1. a main element, idea, feature, etc.; specif.,
    1. a main theme or subject to be elaborated on or developed, as in a piece of music, a book, etc.
    2. a repeated figure in a design
  2. motive (sense )

Etymology: Fr: see motive

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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