Witty remark, providing theme

Usage examples of motif.

The use of apocalyptic motifs by most of these figures traces to their ties with Freemasonry rather than to medieval Russian tradition.

In the hothouse Aubade stood absently caressing the branches of a young mimosa, hearing a motif of sap-rising, the rough and unresolved anticipatory theme of those fragile pink blossoms which, it is said, insure fertility.

Quels motifs pouvaient-elles avoir eus pour lui accorder une si longue audience?

The matching full-length gown hung straight below the swell of her breasts, demurely hiding her legs, but the neckline was low, exposing even more of her creamy flesh through a cutwork motif.

They had been ages working out how you put recognisable hearts, diamonds, clubs and spades on each as a motif, but between radishes and black olives as fiddly little decorations they had come up with something acceptable.

Myriad white beeswax candles in branched candelabra reflected in fanciful epergnes of crystal or silvered basketwork, golden salvers lifted on pedestals and filled with sweetmeats or condiments, sets of silver spice-casters elaborately gadrooned, their fretted lids decorated with intricately pierced patterns, crystal cruets of herbal vinegars and oils, porcelain mustard pots with a blue underglaze motif of starfish, oval dish-supports with heating-lamps underneath, mirrored plateaux and low clusters of realistic flowers and leaves made from silk.

On the other hand, several of the stores looked new: an art gallery with a Southwestern motif, a jeweler advertising handcrafted silver, a Victorian house that had been turned into a Mexican restaurant, complete with wrought-iron tables on the porch.

Several times he saw where an enterprising cutter had left behind an intricate knotwork motif in the rock.

Inch by inch, Pilar rubbed the silver cleaner into the tray and watched the intricacy of the pineapple motif unfold.

Her cousin Cady could discuss the rinceau motifs used in the decoration of sixteenth-century majolica dishes for hours on end, but Sylvia could design long-term corporate strategy.

Ignoring the path to the side, he mounted broad steps, crossed a verandah and approached a pair of narrow twelve-foot-high doors, studded with iron rondels bearing flying snake motifs.

He entered the ballroom--and found that the subaquatic motif was gone.

Renaissance en sa fleur ne rompit point avec cette jolie habitude de varier les motifs.

The mensal chamber was floored with polished wood, the walls hidden by rice-paper screens painted with bamboo-and-crane motifs.

The other motif this tale seems to play with is the Bluebeard myth of the suitor who is actually a serial monogamist and a serial killer, with the bodies of previous brides stored in his dungeon.