leitmotiv

Definitions of leitmotiv
  1. noun
    a unifying idea that is a recurrent element in literary or artistic work
    synonyms: motivo, tema
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    type of:
    concetto, concezione, idea, pensiero
    the content of cognition; the main thing you are thinking about
  2. noun
    a melodic phrase that accompanies the reappearance of a person or situation (as in Wagner's operas)
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    type of:
    aria, melodia, motivo, tema
    a succession of notes forming a distinctive sequence
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