cothurnus

American  

[koh-thur-nuhs] / koʊˈθɜr nəs /

Also cothurn

noun

plural

cothurni

1. a grave and elevated style of acting; tragic acting; tragedy.

2. buskin.

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cothurnus British  

/ kəʊˈθɜːnəs, ˈkəʊθɜːn, kəʊˈθɜːn /

noun

1. the buskin worn in ancient Greek tragedy

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Other Word Forms

• cothurnal adjective

Etymology

Origin of cothurnus

1720–30; < Latin < Greek kóthornos buskin, type of boot worn by tragic actors in heroic roles

Example Sentences

Some of the quiet characters away from the centre of great affairs are as well worth our attention as those who in high-heeled cothurnus stalk across the foreground.

From Critical Miscellanies (Vol. 3 of 3) Essay 7: W.R. Greg: A Sketch by Morley, John

Agar, in peplos and cothurnus, recited the strophes once more.

From An Englishman in Paris Notes and Recollections by Albert D.

The actor on the stage is admired whilst he is elevated by the cothurnus; but young men are not to exhibit their oratorical talents always with the advantages of stage effect and decorations.

From Practical Education, Volume II by Edgeworth, Maria

They never speak except ore rotundo, in cothurnus, or sometimes on stilts.

From Amiel's Journal by Ward, Humphry, Mrs.

But, besides the cothurnus, you have heard of the mask.

From Note Book of an English Opium-Eater by De Quincey, Thomas