n.[C]

1. （文学、艺术作品的）主题，中心思想
   This opera contains a love motif.

   这出歌剧有个爱情主题。

2. （服装设计等的）基本图案，基调
   a flower motif in wallpaper

   壁纸的一种花朵图案

3. 动机，主旨
   the profit motif

   赢利的动机

n.

1. a single or recurring image forming a design.
2. a distinctive or dominant theme in a work of art.
3. a decorative device applied to a garment or textile.
4. Biochemistry  a distinctive sequence on a protein or DNA, having a three-dimensional structure that allows binding interactions to occur.