diegesis

[ dahy-uh-jee-sis ]

noun

, plural di·e·ge·ses [dahy-, uh, -, jee, -seez].

1. the telling of a story by a narrator who summarizes events in the plot and comments on the conversations, thoughts, etc., of the characters. Compare mimesis ( def 2b ).
2. the sphere or world in which these narrated events and other elements occur.

Other Words From

• di·e·get·ic [dahy-, uh, -, jet, -ik], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of diegesis¹

First recorded in 1800–10; from Greek diēgēsis “a narrative,” derivative of diēgeisthai “to describe, narrate,” from dia- “passing through, thoroughly” ( dia- ) + hēgeîsthai “to guide”

Example Sentences

In 1996 and 1997, Amalgam Comics fused heroes from DC and Marvel into new characters that occupied their own diegesis – that way, Iron Lantern could never cross paths with the Green Lantern or Iron Man.

From The Guardian

When Strine has stopped time in the diegesis of the novel, but is still narrating his thoughts to you, as the reader, something very weird is going on.

From The Guardian