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Matrix vs Motif - What's the difference?

matrix | motif |

As nouns the difference between matrix and motif

is that matrix is matrix while motif is a recurring or dominant element; a theme.

matrix

English

Noun

(en-noun)
  • The womb.
  • * 1646 , Sir Thomas Browne, Pseudodoxia Epidemica , III.17:
    • upon conception the inward orifice of the matrix exactly closeth, so that it commonly admitteth nothing after [...].
  • * 1969 , Vladimir Nabokov, Ada or Ardor , Penguin 2011, p. 296:
    • In very rare cases, when the matrix just goes on pegging away automatically, the doctor can take advantage of that and ease out the second brat who then can be considered to be, say, three minutes younger [...].
  • (biology) The material or tissue in which more specialized structures are embedded.
  • (biology) An extracellular matrix, the material or tissue between the cells of animals or plants.
  • (biology) Part of the mitochondrion.
  • (biology) The medium in which bacteria are cultured.
  • (mathematics) A rectangular arrangement of numbers or terms having various uses such as transforming coordinates in geometry, solving systems of linear equations in linear algebra and representing graphs in graph theory.
  • (computing) A two-dimensional array.
  • A table of data.
  • (geology) A geological matrix, the outer material of a rock consisting of larger grains embedded in a material consisting of smaller ones.
  • (archaeology and paleontology) The sediment surrounding and including the artifacts, features, and other materials at a site.
  • (analytical chemistry) The environment from which a given sample is taken.

    • Synonyms

    * (mathematics) array, table * (table of data) array, grid, spreadsheet, table * (computing) array

    Derived terms

    * dot matrix * extracellular matrix * geological matrix * matricial

    motif

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A recurring or dominant element; a theme.
    • See how the artist repeats the scroll motif throughout the work?
  • (music) A short melodic passage that is repeated in several parts of a work
  • A decorative figure that is repeated in a design
  • (crystallography) The physical object or objects repeated at each point of a lattice. Usually atoms or molecules.
  • A basic element of a move in terms of why the piece moves and how it supports the fulfilment of a stipulation.
  • (biochemistry) In a nucleotide or amino-acid sequence, pattern that is widespread and has, or is conjectured to have, a biological significance.

    • Related terms

    * motive ----