leitmotif
noun/ˈlaɪtməʊtiːf/
/ˈlaɪtməʊtiːf/
(also leitmotiv)
(from German)- (music) a short tune in a piece of music that is often repeated and is connected with a particular person, thing or idea
- an idea or a phrase that is repeated often in a book or work of art, or is typical of a particular person or groupTopics Literature and writingc2
Word Originlate 19th cent.: from German Leitmotiv, from leit- ‘leading’ (from leiten ‘to lead’) + Motiv ‘motive’.
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leitmotif