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stichomythia

[stik-uh-mith-ee-uh]
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noun
  1. 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.
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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)
Related formsstich·o·myth·ic, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018
British Dictionary definitions for stichomythia

stichomythia

stichomythy (stɪˈkɒmɪθɪ)

noun
  1. a form of dialogue originating in Greek drama in which single lines are uttered by alternate speakers
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Derived Formsstichomythic, adjective

Word Origin

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

Word Origin and History for stichomythia

n.

"dialogue in alternate lines," Latinized from Greek stikhomythia, from stikhos (see stichic) + mythos "speech, talk" (see myth).

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper