motif in WordNet English dictionary

1. a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration
   motif  motive 
   
2. a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work
   "it was the usual `boy gets girl' theme"
   theme  motif 
   
3. a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music
   motif  motive