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

Word History and Origins

Origin of parabasis¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of parabasis¹

C19: from Greek, from parabanein to step forward

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.

From Project Gutenberg

Alternatively, take a trip over to Isaac Butler's site Parabasis.

From The Guardian

Isaac Butler of Parabasis went to see it recently and was not impressed.

From The Guardian

There are, of course, some rather more glamorous ways of supplementing one's income from the theatre. 99Seats, writing on the Parabasis blog has picked up on this article by Jason Zinoman in the New York Times examining how playwrights are frequently turning to writing for TV in order to make a better buck.

From The Guardian

In a discussion about this on the Parabasis blog, RVC Bard points out that there is a fine line between interaction, which she is not a fan of, and intimacy, which she thinks is vital.

From The Guardian