Which statement uses the denotative form of the word snake?
a. he took my savings, the snake, and then seemed to totally disappear.
b. the salesman seemed smooth and deadly as a snake to the customers.
c. she moved fast like a snake but fortunately did not enjoy eating live mice.
d. the snake we discovered hiding in the woodshed was nearly seven feet long.

i'm not sure i completely understand your question, but i will do my best.

i think the answer you are looking for is sequence. (see below)

a repeated melodic fragment would be best defined as repetition, while repeated chords (different or the same) could be a chord progression. however, you then mentioned the chord and melodic fragment beginning on higher or lower pitches, in that case, the answer could be best defined as a sequence. the definition of a sequence is as follows: "the restatement of a motif or longer melodic (or harmonic) passage at a higher or lower pitch in the same voice."

let me know if this !