1. (noun) a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration

• motive

2. (noun) a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music

• motive

3. (noun) a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work

• theme

1. (noun) a design or figure that consists of recurring shapes or colors, as in architecture or decoration

• design
• figure
• pattern

2. (noun) a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music

• idea
• melodic theme
• musical theme
• theme

3. (noun) a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work

• idea
• thought

1. (noun) a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music

• obbligato
• obligato

2. (noun) a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work

• topos

1. (noun) a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work

• thematic