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peripeteia

[ per-uh-pi-tahy-uh, -tee-uh ]
/ ˌpɛr ə pɪˈtaɪ ə, -ˈti ə /
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noun
a sudden turn of events or an unexpected reversal, especially in a literary work.
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Also per·i·pe·ti·a; pe·rip·e·ty [puh-rip-i-tee]. /pəˈrɪp ɪ ti/.

Origin of peripeteia

First recorded in 1585–95; from Greek peripéteia “sudden change,” equivalent to peripet(ḗs) literally, “falling round” (peri-peri- + pet-, base of píptein “to fall”) + -eia -y3

Words nearby peripeteia

periostitis, periostracum, periotic, peripatetic, peripatus, peripeteia, peripheral, peripheral device, peripheralism, peripheral nervous system, peripheral primitive neuroectodermal tumour
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to peripeteia

climax, critical point, crux, culmination, juncture, twist, axis, change, climacteric, contingency, crisis, critical mass, critical period, crossing, crossroads, crunch, cusp, defining moment, development, emergency

How to use peripeteia in a sentence

  • Now then for anagnorisis, comic peripeteia, division into acts, and the rest of the wallet!

    Two Sides of the Face|Arthur Thomas Quiller-Couch

British Dictionary definitions for peripeteia

peripeteia

peripetia peripety (pəˈrɪpətɪ)

/ (ˌpɛrɪpɪˈtaɪə, -ˈtɪə) /
noun
(esp in drama) an abrupt turn of events or reversal of circumstances

Derived forms of peripeteia

peripeteian or peripetian, adjective

Word Origin for peripeteia

C16: from Greek, from peri- + piptein to fall (to change suddenly, literally: to fall around)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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