What Italian musical term refers to a short, melodic, rhythmic, or harmonic pattern that is repeated persistently throughout a composition?

Ostinato

The term 'ostinato' comes from the Italian word for 'obstinate' or 'stubborn,' reflecting how the pattern refuses to change. You can hear famous examples in the repetitive bassline of Queen's 'Another One Bites the Dust' or the menacing two-note theme from 'Jaws'.