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leitmotif

Syllabification: (leit·mo·tif)
Pronunciation: /ˈlītmōˌtēf/

(also leitmotiv)
Definition of leitmotif

noun

  • a recurrent theme throughout a musical or literary composition, associated with a particular person, idea, or situation.

Origin:

late 19th century: from German Leitmotiv, from leit- 'leading' (from leiten 'to lead') + Motiv 'motive'

leitmotif in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of leitmotif in the British & World English dictionary

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