saga

[sah-guh]

noun

1. a medieval Icelandic or Norse prose narrative of achievements and events in the history of a personage, family, etc.

2. any narrative or legend of heroic exploits.

   Synonyms: history, tale, epic

3. Also called saga novel. a form of the novel in which the members or generations of a family or social group are chronicled in a long and leisurely narrative.

4. a dramatic history of a group, place, industry, etc..

   the saga of the transcontinental railroad.

5. any very long story with dramatic events or parts.

   the sad saga of her life in poverty.

saga

/ ˈsɑːɡə /

noun

1. any of several medieval prose narratives written in Iceland and recounting the exploits of a hero or a family

2. any similar heroic narrative

3. Also called: saga novel. a series of novels about several generations or members of a family

4. any other artistic production said to resemble a saga

5. informal,  a series of events or a story stretching over a long period

Word History and Origins

Origin of saga¹

First recorded in 1700–10; from Old Norse: literally, “story, narrative, history”; cognate with saw ³

Word History and Origins

Origin of saga¹

C18: from Old Norse: a narrative; related to Old English secgan to _say ¹

Example Sentences

This is the pivot point in the long “Godfather” saga.

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“This has come as a surprise to a market that had felt that the next chapter in the French political saga could only be new and divisive elections,” Turner says.

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Its saga is a reminder to American companies of how difficult it remains to do business there.

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Last January, the Barça brass promised the saga was nearly over.

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Unless that happens, I hope that we keep faith with our Constitution as written and with the saga of American greatness that infuses it.

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