Usage of the words and phrases in modern English. 2013.
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
leitmotiv — 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 — 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
leitmotiv — /ˈlaɪtmoʊˌtif / (say luytmoh.teef) noun (in a music drama or literary work) a theme associated throughout the work with a particular person, situation, or idea. Also, leitmotif. {German Leitmotiv leading motive} …
LEITMOTIV — Terme allemand signifiant «motif conducteur», mais passé dans la langue française, parmi d’autres, en raison notamment de ses résonances wagnériennes. Inventé par Hans von Wolzogen (1848 1938), leitmotiv désigne un court motif mélodique,… … Encyclopédie Universelle
leitmotiv — 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… … English dictionary
Leitmotif — Studioalbum von dredg Veröffentlichung 1999, Re Release 2001. 2010(LP) Label Eigenvertrieb / Universal Music Group … Deutsch Wikipedia
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
