stichomythia

[ stik-uh-mith-ee-uh ]

/ ˌstɪk əˈmɪθ i ə /

noun

dramatic dialogue, as in a Greek play, characterized by brief exchanges between two characters, each of whom usually speaks in one line of verse during a scene of intense emotion or strong argumentation.

Words nearby stichomythia

stibnite, stich, sticharion, stichic, stichometry, stichomythia, stick, stick around, stick at, stick by, stick down

Also sti·chom·y·thy

[sti-kom-uh-thee] /stɪˈkɒm ə θi/.

Origin of stichomythia

1860–65; < Greek stichomȳthía, equivalent to stícho(s) (see stich¹) + -mȳthia (mŷth(os) speech, story + -ia -ia)

OTHER WORDS FROM stichomythia

stich·o·myth·ic, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for stichomythia

stichomythia

stichomythy (stɪˈkɒmɪθɪ)

/ (ˌstɪkəʊˈmɪθɪə) /

noun

a form of dialogue originating in Greek drama in which single lines are uttered by alternate speakers

Derived forms of stichomythia

stichomythic, adjective

Word Origin for stichomythia

C19: from Greek stikhomuthein to speak alternate lines, from stikhos line + muthos speech; see myth

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