word
German
Literary
leitmotif
LYT-moh-teef
ˈlaɪtmoʊˌtiːfListen
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Syllable breakdown
leitmotif
Sounds like
Say 'LYT-moh-teef'.
Dictionary meaning
A recurrent theme associated with a particular person, situation, or idea in music or literature.
History and origin
German — 'leit' (leading, guiding) + 'Motiv' (motif, theme).
Examples
- Wagner developed the leitmotif technique to its fullest extent in Der Ring des Nibelungen.
Common mispronunciations
LAYT-moh-teeflyt-MOH-teef
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