Leading motive

Leading motive
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 of the question involved. --Abbott.

{Leading motive} [a translation of G. leitmotif] (Mus.), a guiding theme; in the musical drama of Wagner, a marked melodic phrase or short 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 {leitmotif} or {leitmotiv}.

{Leading note} (Mus.), the seventh note or tone in the ascending major scale; the sensible note.

{Leading question}, a question so framed as to guide the person questioned in making his reply.

{Leading strings}, strings by which children are supported when beginning to walk.

{To be in leading strings}, to be in a state of infancy or dependence, or under the guidance of others.

{Leading wheel}, a wheel situated before the driving wheels of a locomotive engine. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • leading motive — ˈlē noun Etymology: translation of German leitmotive : a dominant motive in or leading to action; specifically : a musical leitmotiv …   Useful english dictionary

  • Motive — Mo tive, n. [F. motif, LL. motivum, from motivus moving, fr. L. movere, motum, to move. See {Move}.] 1. That which moves; a mover. [Obs.] Shak. [1913 Webster] 2. That which incites to action; anything prompting or exciting to choise, or moving… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 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 of the… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Leading case — 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

  • Leading note — 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

  • Leading question — 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

  • Leading strings — 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

  • Leading wheel — 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

  • To be in leading strings — 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

  • motive — motiveless, adj. motivelessly, adv. motivelessness, n. /moh tiv/, n., adj., v., motived, motiving. n. 1. something that causes a person to act in a certain way, do a certain thing, etc.; incentive. 2. the goal or object of a person s actions: Her …   Universalium

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