LEITMOTIF Meaning of LEITMOTIF in English [ 'lʌɪtməʊˌti:f ](also leitmotiv ) ■ noun a recurring theme in a musical or literary composition.OriginC19: from Ger. Leitmotiv , from leit- 'leading' + Motiv 'motive'. Concise Oxford English vocab. Сжатый оксфордский словарь английского языка. 2004