Main Entry: mo·tif

Pronunciation: \mō-ˈtēf\

Function: noun

Etymology: French, motive, motif, from Middle French — more at motive

Date: 1848

1 : a usually recurring salient thematic element (as in the arts); especially : a dominant idea or central theme
2 : a single or repeated design or color

— mo·tif·ic \-ˈtē-fik, -ˈti-\ adjective