Old Comedy

noun

1. Greek comedy of the 5th century b.c., which derived from fertility rites in honor of Dionysus and combined robust humor with biting personal and political satire.

Word History and Origins

Origin of Old Comedy¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Example Sentences

The coach looked to me as if it had been taken from behind the scenes of some old comedy—a piece of stage property.

From Project Gutenberg

Cibber fell by second nature into an attitude of the old comedy.

From Project Gutenberg

The Preface contains some excellent remarks on the old comedy.

From Project Gutenberg

Gammer Gurton's Needle is the name of a famous old comedy which dates from about the year 1566.

From Project Gutenberg

Pat he comes, like the catastrophe of the old comedy: my cue is villainous melancholy, with a sigh like Tom o' Bedlam.

From Project Gutenberg