Misfortune to lose nurse by design (5)

I believe the answer is:

motif

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'design' is the definition.
(I know that design can be written as motif)

I can't explain the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for motif that I've seen before include "Recurring theme, especially in music" , "Recurrent symbol" , "Main theme in music" , "symbolic ornament" , "Recurring pattern" .)

I've seen this clue in the Irish Times and the Irish Times (Crosaire).

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