Leitmotif

Leitmotif
Leitmotif Leit"mo*tif", Leitmotiv Leit"mo*tiv"(l[imac]t"m[-o]*t[-e]f"), n. [G., leading motive.] 1. (Mus.) 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 +PJC]

2. a recurring theme in the activities of a person or group. [PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • Leitmotif — Studioalbum von dredg Veröffentlichung 1999, Re Release 2001. 2010(LP) Label Eigenvertrieb / Universal Music Group …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Leitmotif — Студийный альбом Dredg Дата выпуска 30 мая 1998 …   Википедия

  • leitmotif — UK [ˈlaɪtməʊˌtiːf] / US [ˈlaɪtmoʊˌtɪf] or leitmotiv UK / US noun [countable] Word forms leitmotif : singular leitmotif plural leitmotifs 1) music a tune that is repeated several times in a piece of music and represents a particular character or… …   English dictionary

  • leitmotif — 1876, a musical figure to which some definite meaning is attached, from Ger. Leitmotiv, lit. lead motive, from leiten to lead (see LEAD (Cf. lead) (v.1)) + Motiv (see MOTIVE (Cf. motive)). A term associated with Wagnerian musical drama, though… …   Etymology dictionary

  • leitmotif — (also leitmotiv) ► NOUN ▪ a recurring theme in a musical or literary composition. ORIGIN German Leitmotiv, from leit leading + Motiv motive …   English terms dictionary

  • leitmotif — or leitmotiv [līt′mō tēf΄] n. [Ger leitmotiv < leiten, to LEAD1 + motiv, MOTIVE] 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… …   English World dictionary

  • Leitmotif — A leitmotif (pronEng|ˌlaɪtmoʊˈtiːf) (also leitmotiv; lit. leading motif ) is a recurring musical theme, associated with a particular person, place, or idea. The word has also been used by extension to mean any sort of recurring theme, whether in… …   Wikipedia

  • leitmotif — Leading Lead ing, a. Guiding; directing; controlling; foremost; as, a leading motive; a leading man; a leading example. {Lead ing*ly}, adv. [1913 Webster] {Leading case} (Law), a reported decision which has come to be regarded as settling the law …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • leitmotif — [[t]la͟ɪtmoʊtiːf[/t]] leitmotifs also leitmotiv N COUNT A leitmotif in something such as a book or film or in a person s life is an idea or an object which occurs again and again. [FORMAL] The title of one of Dietrich s best known songs could… …   English dictionary

  • leitmotif — leit|mo|tif leitmotiv [ˈlaıtməuˌti:f US mou ] n [Date: 1800 1900; : German; Origin: leitmotiv, from leiten to lead + motiv motive (from French motif)] 1.) technical a musical phrase that is repeated several times during a long musical work and… …   Dictionary of contemporary English

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