variants:
or less commonly leitmotiv
Definition of leitmotif
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
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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Time Traveler for leitmotif
The first known use of leitmotif was circa 1880
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