peripeteia

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

See synonyms for peripeteia on Thesaurus.com

noun

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

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

Also per·i·pe·ti·a; pe·rip·e·ty [puh-rip-i-tee]. /pəˈrɪp ɪ ti/.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use peripeteia in a sentence

But Theodore Kremer, who very possibly never heard of peripety, would do exactly the same thing.
Seeing Things at Night | Heywood Broun
When a pupil brings in a play in favor of polygamy, Baker declines to argue but talks instead about peripety.
Pieces of Hate | Heywood Broun
It is a turning-point, a veritable moral peripety, though the decisive step was taken long ago.
Cyropaedia | Xenophon
Has the conception of the peripety, as an almost obligatory element in drama, any significance for the modern playwright?
Play-Making | William Archer
In the third act of Othello we have a peripety handled with consummate theatrical skill.
Play-Making | William Archer

British Dictionary definitions for peripeteia

peripeteia

peripetia peripety (pəˈrɪpətɪ)

/ (ˌpɛrɪpɪˈtaɪə, -ˈtɪə) /

noun

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

Origin of peripeteia

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

Derived forms of peripeteia

peripeteian or peripetian, adjective

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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