noun (n)

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

  Synonym:
  motive
  

  source: wordnet30
• a theme that is repeated or elaborated in a piece of music(noun.communication)

  source: wordnet30
• a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work(noun.cognition)

  Synonym:
  theme
  

  source: wordnet30
• Motive.(noun)

  source: webster1913
• In literature and the fine arts, a salient feature or element of a composition or work; esp., the theme, or central or dominant feature; specif. (Music), a motive.(noun)

  source: webster1913