ˈmīˌthäs noun
( plural my·thoi -thȯi)
Etymology: Greek — more at myth
1.
a. : myth 1
b. : mythology 2b
2. : the pattern of meaning and valuation expressive of the basic truths and enduring apprehensions of a people's historic experience characteristically expressed through a medium of high symbolism (as poetry, art, or drama)
3. : the underlying theme or symbolic meaning of a creative work ; sometimes : plot 4