Word Study
leitmotif
CIDE DICTIONARY
leitmotif, n. [G., leading motive.].
- a guiding theme; in Wagnerian opera, a marked melodic phrase or short musical passage which always accompanies the reappearance of a certain person, situation, abstract idea, or allusion in the course of the play; a sort of musical label. Also called
Leading motive . [1913 Webster] - a recurring theme in the activities of a person or group. [PJC]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
leitmotif, n. (also leitmotiv) a recurrent theme associated throughout a musical, literary, etc. composition with a particular person, idea, or situation.
Etymology
G Leitmotiv (as LEAD(1), MOTIVE)
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