Leitmotif
/ˈlaɪt.məʊ.tiːf/noun
A recurring musical theme associated with a particular person, place, idea, or emotion, especially in opera and film.
Did you know?The term was popularized in the 1870s in discussions of Wagner’s operas, although Wagner himself generally used other terms for his recurring musical themes.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*laidijaną
“To lead, guide, or cause to go”
Old High German
OHG
lītan
“To lead or guide”
Middle High German
MHG
leiten
“To lead, conduct, or direct”
Latin
Latin
mōtīvus
“Producing movement or serving as a motive”
18th Century
German
Motiv
“A motif, motive, or recurring artistic idea; from French motif and ultimately Latin mōtīvus”
1870s
German
Leitmotiv
“A leading musical motif; a recurring theme associated with a character or idea”
Modern English
English
leitmotif
“A recurring musical or artistic theme that signals a person, idea, place, or emotion”