The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word LEITMOTIF
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
L
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T
M
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F
More clues leading to the result LEITMOTIF
- Second cracking title surprisingly providing theme
- Sex in dilapidated motel providing a recurring theme
- New title about way of working provided recurring theme
- Male in mobile toilet providing theme
- Revised title includes second Kipling poem with a recurring theme
- Toilet rolls, about a thousand, providing theme
- Theme mentioned illumination surrounding channel on reservation
- Theme foolishly I felt introduces aphorism on Italy
- Theme of fancy tile design
- Edit film to tie into established theme
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "recurring theme" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case recurring theme = leitmotif.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does LEITMOTIF mean?
LEITMOTIF noun- A melodic theme associated with a particular character, place, thing or idea in an opera.
- A recurring theme.