leitmotiv

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In what seemed to be an all-out diplomatic assault, the leitmotiv was outreach - to foes and allies, past and present.

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Definitions (2)

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  1. In music, a leading motive (which see, under leading).

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Examples (42)

  • One little group of notes ( l ) I have seen described as a leitmotiv; and if it is one, I should like to know what it stands for. —  Richard Wagner
  • II It is necessary to discuss as briefly as may be the leitmotiv, because with Lohengrin Wagner first began to use it with serious purpose. —  Richard Wagner
  • I walked on Those words kept recurring like a leitmotiv; and indeed, walking and propping his elbows on bars were Lentin's principal occupations. —  Maigret's Failure -#49- by Georges Simenon
  • The propeller design consistently applied to many elements of the cars (such as the Aeroblade wheels) since 2000, was up for refreshment though: And in aviation the propeller engine was succeeded by the turbine engine so Spyker adopted the turbine as its "leitmotiv" for the Spyker C8 Aileron. —  Jalopnik
  • The Overthinker: While in general I agree with you and Voltaire, I wonder if your analogy is the best one to use .... leitmotiv: Thanks! —  Japan Probe
 

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This word has been looked up 23 times.

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Etymologies (1)

Toggle Century etymologies Century Dictionary (1)

  1. Also leitmotif, leitmotive; from German leitmotiv, from leiten, lead, + motiv, motive.
 

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