leitmotif Hear it!

leitmotif definition

leit·mo·tif or leitmotiv leit′·mo·tiv′ (līt′mō tēf′)

noun

  1. a short, recurring musical phrase or theme, esp. as used in Wagnerian opera to represent a given character, emotion, etc.
  2. a dominant theme or underlying pattern

Etymology: Ger leitmotiv < leiten, to lead + motiv, motive

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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