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peripeteia

Also ��·��·��·�پ�·��;

[per-uh-pi-tahy-uh, -tee-uh]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

a sudden turn of events or an unexpected reversal, especially in a literary work.

peripeteia

/ -ˈtɪə, pəˈrɪpətɪ, ˌpɛrɪpɪˈtaɪə /

noun

(esp in drama) an abrupt turn of events or reversal of circumstances

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Other Word Forms

ˌ��ˈ�ٱ𾱲�� adjective

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Word History and Origins

Origin of peripeteia¹

First recorded in 1585–95; from Greek ��é�ٱ𾱲� “sudden change,” equivalent to ��(ḗs) literally, “falling round” ( peri- peri- + pet-, base of ��í��ٱ𾱲� “to fall”) + -eia -y ³

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Word History and Origins

Origin of peripeteia¹

C16: from Greek, from _peri- + piptein to fall (to change suddenly, literally: to fall around)

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

That was called peripeteia, meaning a dramatic reversal of fortune.

From

A tragedy, wrote Aristotle in the fourth century BC, depicts the fall of a great but flawed man, and hinges on a peripeteia, or sudden reversal, like the Italian defender’s slur.

From

My second thought: the Greek word “peripeteia,” a sudden reversal of fortune.

From

But the most crucial element of tragedy as he saw it was peripeteia: reversals of fortune.

From

This is the classic Aristotelian peripeteia: the sudden reversal of fortune.

From

Related Words

climax��
critical point��
crux��
culmination��
juncture��
twist��

peripatus peripheral

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