motif
/mou'ti:f/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- A unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work: A motif is a distinctive and recurring idea, image, or element that helps develop a work's central theme or message.
- A theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music: In music, a motif is a short, recognizable musical phrase or sequence that is repeated and developed throughout a composition.
- A design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration: In visual arts and design, a motif is a repeated decorative pattern, shape, or color scheme.
Usage Examples
- Noun (Literary/Artistic):
- The motif of light and darkness is central to the novel's exploration of good and evil.
- Recurring water motifs in her paintings symbolize purity and change.
- Noun (Musical):
- The composer introduced a haunting four-note motif in the first movement.
- The symphony is built upon the development of a single, powerful motif.
- Noun (Design/Visual):
- The wallpaper features a floral motif.
- Architectural motifs from ancient Greece were common in the building's facade.
Advanced Usage
- "To serve as a motif": To function as a recurring element.
- The image of a caged bird serves as a motif for the character's feeling of entrapment.
- "To develop a motif": To expand or vary a recurring idea or pattern.
- The artist developed the geometric motif across the entire series of canvases.
Variants and Related Words
- Motive (noun): An older or alternative spelling for 'motif', particularly in artistic contexts. Also commonly means a reason for doing something.
- The detective sought the criminal's motive.
- Leitmotif (noun): A German term, particularly used in opera and film music, for a recurrent musical theme associated with a particular person, idea, or situation.
- A leitmotif announces the villain's presence in the film score.
Synonyms
- Theme: A subject or topic of artistic representation. (More general than motif; a motif supports a theme.)
- Pattern: A repeated decorative design. (More specific to visual repetition.)
- Figure: A shape or form, especially in a design.
Related Phrases
- Recurring motif: A motif that appears multiple times.
- The recurring motif of the journey reflects the protagonist's inner search.
- Decorative motif: A motif used primarily for ornamentation.
- The border was adorned with a decorative motif of intertwining vines.
Idioms and Figurative Use
- "A motif of...": Used to describe a pattern of ideas or events.
- His life story had a motif of unexpected second chances.
Noun
- a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work
- it was the usual `boy gets girl' theme
- a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music
- a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration