Mus. Also -motif, -motive. [Ger., f. leit- leading- + motiv MOTIVE.] In the musical drama of Wagner and his imitators, a theme associated throughout the work with a particular person, situation or sentiment.
1876. Stainer & Barrett, Dict. Mus. Terms, Leitmotif.
1880. Parry, in Grove, Dict. Mus., II. 115/2. When these situations recur, or the personages come forward in the course of the action, or even when the personage or idea is implied or referred to, the figure which constitutes the leit-motif is heard.
1881. F. Hueffer, Wagner (1883), 120. Another feature of the score of Parsifal is the variety and number of its representative themes, or ‘leit-motives,’ and the elaborateness of their treatment.
