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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.

Nearby words

  1. stich,
  2. sticharion,
  3. stichic,
  4. stichometric,
  5. stichometry,
  6. stichomythy,
  7. stick,
  8. stick around,
  9. stick at,
  10. stick by
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. 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 Formsstichomythic, adjective

Word Origin for stichomythia

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

stichomythia

n.

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

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper