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leitmotif also leitmotiv (LYT-mo-teef) noun
1. A melodic passage or phrase, especially in Wagnerian opera, associated with a specific character, situation, or element. 2. A dominant and recurring theme, as in a novel. [German Leitmotiv : leiten, to lead (from Middle High German, from Old High German leitan.) + Motiv, motif, from French motif.] "The whole spirit of Hallowe'en is, of course, one of `spooky' gayety and light-hearted ghastliness. Witches and ghosts run riot; corpses dance and black cats howl. `More work for the undertaker' should be the leitmotif of the evening's fun." Donald Ogden Stewart, Perfect Behavior, George H. Doran Company, 1922. This week's theme: words from the German language. ............................................................................. It is not what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable. -Moliere, actor and playwright (1622-1673) Q: Some time ago you featured a quote about foo in AWAD. Could you resend it? A: You may search the archives at http://wordsmith.org/awad/search.html or browse them at http://wordsmith.org/awad/archives.html All the words and quotes since the beginning of AWAD are available there. Pronunciation: http://wordsmith.org/words/leitmotif.wav http://wordsmith.org/words/leitmotif.ram
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