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

One of the “Ninety-nine Stories of God” contains this moving but sublimely unexplained paragraph: “Her father had been a student of alcohol. From him she learned the beautiful word epitasis, which refers to the part of the play developing the main action and leading to the catastrophe.”

From The New Yorker

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

From Project Gutenberg

He well understood the Rules of the Stage, or rather those of Nature; was perfectly Regular, wonderful exact and careful in ordering each Protasis or Entrance, Epitasis or working up, Catastasis or heighth, and Catastrophe or unravelling the Plot; which last he was famous for making it spring necessarily from the Incidents, and neatly and dextrously untying the Knot, whilst others of a grosser make, would either tear, or cut it in pieces.

From Project Gutenberg

The Epitasis or Working up of the Plot, where the Play grows warmer; the Design or Action of it is drawing on, and you see something promising, that it will come to pass.

From Project Gutenberg

It doubles itself in the middle of his life, reflects itself in another, repeats itself, protasis, epitasis, catastasis, catastrophe.

From Project Gutenberg