tragedy
trag·e·dy
noun \ˈtra-jə-dē\ plural trag·e·dies
Definition of TRAGEDY
1
a : a medieval narrative poem or tale typically describing the downfall of a great man b : a serious drama typically describing a conflict between the protagonist and a superior force (as destiny) and having a sorrowful or disastrous conclusion that elicits pity or terror c : the literary genre of tragic dramas
2
a : a disastrous event : calamity b : misfortune
3
: tragic quality or element
Examples of TRAGEDY
- Her son's death was a terrible tragedy.
- The situation ended in tragedy when the gunman shot and killed two students.
- The biggest tragedy here is that the accident could have easily been prevented.
- “Hamlet” is one of Shakespeare's best-known tragedies.
- The students are studying Greek tragedy.
- an actor who is drawn to tragedy
Origin of TRAGEDY
Middle English tragedie, from Middle French, from Latin tragoedia, from Greek tragōidia, from tragos goat (akin to Greek trōgein to gnaw) + aeidein to sing — more at troglodyte, ode
First Known Use: 14th century
Related to TRAGEDY
Related Words: bloodbath, collapse, crash, meltdown; Armageddon, doomsday, end-time; convulsion, paroxysm, upheaval; accident, casualty, fatality; misadventure, mischance, misfortune, mishap; blast, blow, double whammy, one-two (or one-two punch)
Other Literature Terms
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