A.Word.A.Day		About Us | What's New | Search | Site Map | Contact Us

Home Today's Word Yesterday's Word Archives FAQ

A.Word.A.Day--leitmotif Pronunciation: WAV or RealAudio 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. X-Bonus It is not what we do, but also what we do not do, for which we are accountable. -Moliere, actor and playwright (1622-1673)

Sign-up:   Subscribe   Gift Subscription   Address Change   Unsubscribe