Leitmotif /(līt"mō̇*tē̇f")/

Leit·mo·tif

Leitmotif

n.
  1. a guiding theme; in Wagnerian opera, a marked melodic phrase or short musical passage which always accompanies the reappearance of a certain person, situation, abstract idea, or allusion in the course of the play; a sort of musical label. Also called Leading motive. (Mus.)
  2. a recurring theme in the activities of a person or group.