Where does “leitmotif” come from?
Leitmotif derives from German Leitmotiv, from German leiten combined with French motif, which comes from Latin motivus, formed from the Latin verb moveo meaning to move.
leitmotif (English): A melodic theme associated with a particular...
Definitions
- A melodic theme associated with a particular...
Ancestry of “leitmotif”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | German | Leitmotiv | leitmotif |
| 2 | German | leiten | to lead; to manage; to conduct |
| 3 | Middle High German | leiten | — |
| 4 | Old High German | leiten | — |
| 5 | Proto-West Germanic | laidijan | to lead |
| 6 | Proto-Germanic | laidijaną | to cause to go, to lead |
| 7 | Proto-Germanic | līþaną | to go; pass; to go through |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | leyt- | to scratch; to leave, die; to go, go forth, die |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | lēy- | to leave, let; to want, desire; to let; leave... |