cothurnus

[ koh-thur-nuhs ]

noun

, plural co·thur·ni [koh-, thur, -nahy].

1. a grave and elevated style of acting; tragic acting; tragedy.
2. buskin ( def 2 ).

cothurnus

/ kəʊˈθɜːnəs; ˈkəʊθɜːn; kəʊˈθɜːn /

noun

1. the buskin worn in ancient Greek tragedy

Other Words From

• co·thurnal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cothurnus¹

1720–30; < Latin < Greek kóthornos buskin, type of boot worn by tragic actors in heroic roles

Word History and Origins

Origin of cothurnus¹

C18: from Latin, from Greek kothornos

Example Sentences

Talma moved the people to enthusiasm when he played the “Horatii” of Corneille in the classic cothurnus.

From Project Gutenberg

They never speak except ore rotundo, in cothurnus, or sometimes on stilts.

From Project Gutenberg

His is a muse which never lays aside the cothurnus, and a royalty which never puts off its crown, even in sleep.

From Project Gutenberg

Cothurnus occupies a chair upon a platform, up-stage, centre, with two or three steps surrounding it on three sides.

From Project Gutenberg

The Jack Pudding suddenly drew the cothurnus over his clogs.

From Project Gutenberg