Main Entry:

leit·mo·tif

Variant(s):

also leit·mo·tiv \ˈlīt-mō-ˌtēf\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

German Leitmotiv, from leiten to lead + Motiv motive

Date:

circa 1876

1 : an associated melodic phrase or figure that accompanies the reappearance of an idea, person, or situation especially in a Wagnerian music drama 2 : a dominant recurring theme