hamartia

[ hah-mahr-tee-uh ]

noun

1. tragic flaw.

hamartia

/ həˈmɑːtɪə /

noun

1. literature the flaw in character which leads to the downfall of the protagonist in a tragedy

Word History and Origins

Origin of hamartia¹

First recorded in 1890–95; Greek hamartía “failure, fault,” derivative of hamartánein “to miss the mark, fail, err” + -ia noun suffix; -ia

Word History and Origins

Origin of hamartia¹

C19: from Greek

Example Sentences

Hamartia means originally a 'bad shot' or 'error', but is currently used for 'offence' or 'sin'.

From Project Gutenberg

That is not unmotived, however; it is of Aspatia's own choosing and of Amintor's hamartia.

From Project Gutenberg

The pathetic devotion of Aspatia is essential to our understanding of Amintor's tragic weakness, his hamartia.

From Project Gutenberg