peripeteia

[ per-uh-pi-tahy-uh, -tee-uh ]
/ ˌpɛr ə pɪˈtaɪ ə, -ˈti ə /

noun

a sudden turn of events or an unexpected reversal, especially in a literary work.
Also per·i·pe·ti·a, pe·rip·e·ty [puh-rip-i-tee] /pəˈrɪp ɪ ti/.

Origin of peripeteia

1585–95; < Greek peripéteia sudden change, equivalent to peripet(ḗs) literally, falling round ( peri- peri- + pet-, base of píptein to fall) + -eia -y3

Words nearby peripeteia

periovaritis, peripachymeningitis, peripancreatitis, peripatetic, peripatus, peripeteia, peripherad, peripheral, peripheral device, peripheral dysostosis, peripheral motor neuron

Example sentences from the Web for peripety

British Dictionary definitions for peripety

peripeteia

peripetia peripety (pəˈrɪpətɪ)

/ (ˌpɛrɪpɪˈtaɪə, -ˈtɪə) /

noun

(esp in drama) an abrupt turn of events or reversal of circumstances

Derived forms of peripeteia

peripeteian or peripetian, adjective

Word Origin for peripeteia

C16: from Greek, from peri- + piptein to fall (to change suddenly, literally: to fall around)