Palmette vs. Motif: What's the Difference?

Palmette and Motif Definitions
Palmette
A stylized palm leaf used as a decorative element, notably in Persian rugs and in classical moldings, reliefs, frescoes, and vase paintings.
Motif
A recurrent thematic element in an artistic or literary work.
Palmette
A motif in decorative art resembling the fan-shaped leaves of a palm tree.
Motif
A dominant theme or central idea.
Palmette
A floral ornament, common in Greek and other ancient architecture; - often called the honeysuckle ornament.
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Motif
(Music) A short rhythmic or melodic passage that is repeated or evoked in various parts of a composition.
Motif
A repeated figure or design in architecture or decoration.
Motif
A recurrent pattern either of molecular sequence, usually of nucleotides or amino acids in proteins, or of molecular structure that usually corresponds to specific biological activity.
Motif
A recurring or dominant element; an artistic theme.
See how the artist repeats the scroll motif throughout the work?
Motif
(music) A short melodic or lyrical passage that is repeated in several parts of a work.
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Motif
A decorative figure that is repeated in a design or pattern.
Motif
(dressmaking) A decorative appliqué design or figure, as of lace or velvet, used in trimming.
Motif
(crystallography) The physical object or objects repeated at each point of a lattice. Usually atoms or molecules.
Motif
(chess) A basic element of a move in terms of why the piece moves and how it supports the fulfilment of a stipulation.
Motif
(biochemistry) In a nucleotide or aminoacid sequence, pattern that is widespread and has, or is conjectured to have, a biological significance.
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Motif
Motive.
Motif
In literature and the fine arts, a salient feature or element of a composition or work; esp., the theme, or central or dominant feature;
This motif, of old things lost, is a favorite one for the serious ballade.
The design . . . is . . . based on the peacock - a motif favored by decorative artists of all ages.
Motif
A decorative appliqué design or figure, as of lace or velvet, used in trimming; also, a repeated design.
Motif
A design that consists of recurring shapes or colors
Motif
A theme that is elaborated on in a piece of music
Motif
A unifying idea that is a recurrent element in a literary or artistic work;
It was the usual `boy gets girl' theme