Advertisement

Advertisement

parabasis

[ puh-rab-uh-sis ]

noun

, plural pa·rab·a·ses [p, uh, -, rab, -, uh, -seez].
  1. (in ancient Greek drama) a choral ode addressed to the audience, especially of comedy, and independent of the action of the play: usually following the agon and, in the earliest forms of comedy, serving often to end the play.


parabasis

/ pəˈræbəsɪs /

noun

  1. (in classical Greek comedy) an address from the chorus to the audience
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012


Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of parabasis1

1810–20; < Greek parábasis a going aside, digression; para- 1, basis
Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of parabasis1

C19: from Greek, from parabanein to step forward
Discover More

Example Sentences

Parabasis, pa-rab′a-sis, n. the chief of the choral parts in ancient Greek comedy, usually an address from the poet to the public.

In the comedies, like the masques in other days, sarcastic remarks on the government came to be made; this was the Parabasis.

They were also remarkable for the absence of the parabasis and chorus.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


para-aminobenzoic acidparaben