stichomythia

[ stik-uh-mith-ee-uh ]

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.

stichomythia

/ ˌstɪkəʊˈmɪθɪə; stɪˈkɒmɪθɪ /

noun

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

Derived Forms

• ˌstichoˈmythic, adjective

Other Words From

• sticho·mythic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of stichomythia¹

1860–65; < Greek stichomȳthía, equivalent to stícho ( s ) ( stich ¹ ) + -mȳthia ( mŷth ( os ) speech, story + -ia -ia )

Word History and Origins

Origin of stichomythia¹

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

Example Sentences

Last year one of the final words of the National Spelling Bee was stichomythia.

From Washington Post

Sriram Hathwar, from Painted Post, New York and Ansun Sujoe from Fort Worth, Texas proved they mastered the spelling of “stichomythia” and “feuilleton” — their respective championship words at the Scripps National Spelling Bee.

From Salon

He tackled the word “stichomythia,” which is a type of dialogue delivered between two actors.

From US News

Sriram’s final word was “stichomythia,” a theatrical term.

From Washington Times

In the final round, Hathwar, a 14-year-old from Painted Post, N.Y., correctly spelled stichomythia — a dramatic dispute between two actors.

From Time