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Motif vs Symbol - What's the difference?

motif | symbol |

In context|crystallography|lang=en terms the difference between motif and symbol

is that motif is (crystallography) the physical object or objects repeated at each point of a lattice usually atoms or molecules while symbol is (crystallography) the numerical expression which defines a plane's position relative to the assumed axes.

As nouns the difference between motif and symbol

is that motif is a recurring or dominant element; a theme while symbol is a character or glyph representing an idea, concept or object.

As a verb symbol is

to symbolize.

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.
  • symbol

    English

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • A character or glyph representing an idea, concept or object.
  • $ is the symbol for dollars in the US and some other countries.
    '
  • ' is the octothorpe symbol .
  • ''Chinese people use word symbols for writing.
    The lion is the symbol''' of courage; the lamb is the '''symbol of meekness or patience.
  • Any object, typically material, which is meant to represent another (usually abstract) even if there is no meaningful relationship.
  • The dollar symbol has no relationship to the concept of currency or any related idea.
  • (linguistics) A type of noun whereby the form refers to the same entity independently of the context; a symbol arbitrarily denotes a referent. See also icon and index.
  • A summary of a dogmatic statement of faith.
  • The Apostles, Nicene Creed and the confessional books of Protestantism, such as the Augsburg Confession of Lutheranism are considered symbols .
  • Visible traces or impressions, made using a writing device or tool, that are connected together and/or are slightly separated. Sometimes symbols represent objects or events that occupy space or things that are not physical and do not occupy space.
  • (crystallography) The numerical expression which defines a plane's position relative to the assumed axes.
  • That which is thrown into a common fund; hence, an appointed or accustomed duty.
  • * Jeremy Taylor
  • They do their work in the days of peace and come to pay their symbol in a war or in a plague.
  • Share; allotment.
  • * Jeremy Taylor
  • The persons who are to be judged shall all appear to receive their symbol .

    Derived terms

    * status symbol * typographical symbol

    Verb

  • To symbolize.
  • (Tennyson)

    See also

    * punctuation