leitmotif

leitmotif
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 the thing itself is at least as old as Mozart. "The leitmotif must be characteristic of the person or thing it is intended to represent." ["Elson's Music Dictionary"]

Etymology dictionary. 2014.

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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 — 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,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 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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