Leitmotif Definition

lītmōtēf
leitmotifs
noun
leitmotifs
A short, recurring musical phrase or theme, esp. as used in Wagnerian opera to represent a given character, emotion, etc.
Webster's New World
A dominant theme or underlying pattern.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
  • leitmotiv

Other Word Forms of Leitmotif

Noun

Singular:
leitmotif
Plural:
leitmotifs

Origin of Leitmotif

  • German Leitmotiv leiten to lead (from Middle High German) (from Old High German leitan leit- in Indo-European roots) Motiv motif (from French motif motif)

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From German Leitmotiv (“leading motive"), from leiten (“to lead") + Motiv (“motive"), originally used to describe Wagnerian opera.

    From Wiktionary

Leitmotif Sentence Examples

  • This curse, the Leitmotif of the whole story, began to operate at once.

  • Inspired by the rich architecture of Wagner's music on an epic story, Williams chose to score the first Star Wars and subsequent films using leitmotif.

  • So many of John Williams' musical movements are instantly recognizable, in part due to his use of Wagnerian musical styling such as the leitmotif.

  • Let us illustrate Wagner's mature use of Leitmotif by the theme which happens to be associated with Alberich's ring.

  • The method of presentation in both symphonies is by means of representative themes (Leitmotif), and their combination and interaction.

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Words Starting With

LLELEI

Words Ending With

FIFTIF

Unscrambles

leitmotif

Words Starting With L and Ending With F

Starts With L & Ends With FStarts With LE & Ends With FStarts With L & Ends With IF

Word Length

9 Letter Words9 Letter Words Starting With L9 Letter Words Ending With F