In the study of folk tales: a story element, as a character, event, incident, circumstance, etc., usually one common to tales from many different sources.
Origin
1950s; earliest use found in Kenneth Pike (1912–2000). From motif + -eme.
Definition of motifeme in US English:
motifeme
noun
In the study of folk tales: a story element, as a character, event, incident, circumstance, etc., usually one common to tales from many different sources.
Origin
1950s; earliest use found in Kenneth Pike (1912–2000). From motif + -eme.