[məʊˈtiːf], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a decorative image or design, especially a repeated one forming a pattern
(e.g: the colourful hand-painted motifs which adorn narrowboats)

- a dominant or recurring idea in an artistic work
(e.g: superstition is a recurring motif in the book)

- a distinctive sequence on a protein or DNA, having a three-dimensional structure that allows binding interactions to occur


Phrases:

Origin:
mid 19th century: from French