epitasis

[ ih-pit-uh-sis ]

noun

, plural e·pit·a·ses [ih-, pit, -, uh, -seez].

1. the part of an ancient drama, following the protasis, in which the main action is developed. Compare catastasis, catastrophe ( def 4 ), protasis.

epitasis

/ ɪˈpɪtəsɪs /

noun

1. (in classical drama) the part of a play in which the main action develops Compare protasis catastrophe

Word History and Origins

Origin of epitasis¹

1580–90; < Greek epítasis emphasis, increase of intensity, stretching, equivalent to epi- epi- + ta- (variant stem of teínein to stretch) + -sis -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of epitasis¹

C16: from Greek: a stretching, intensification, from teinein to stretch

Example Sentences

Epitasis, e-pit′a-sis, n. the main action of a Greek drama, leading to the catastrophe—opp.

From Project Gutenberg