leitmotif

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The Word of the Day for May 9 is:

leitmotif   \LYTE-moh-teef\   noun 
     1 : a 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 

Example sentence: 
     The struggle of finding identity in an anonymous world is a common 
leitmotif in the director's earlier films.

Did you know?
     The English word "leitmotif" (or "leitmotiv," as it is also spelled) comes 
from the German "Leitmotiv," meaning "leading motive" and formed from "leiten" 
("to lead") and "Motiv" ("motive"). In its original sense, the word usually 
applies to opera, and was first used by writers interpreting the works of 
Richard Wagner. The German composer was famous for employing leitmotifs in 
operas such as _Der Ring des Nibelungen_ and _Tristan und Isolde_, although 
Wagner himself did not invent the technique. "Leitmotif" is still commonly used 
with reference to music and musical drama, but is now also used more broadly to 
refer to any recurring theme in the arts or in everyday life.

*Indicates the sense used in the example sentence.




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