Topic: THEATRE
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| Date: | 1300-1400 |
| Language: | Old French |
| Origin: | tragedie, from Latin, from Greek tragoidia, probably from tragos 'goat' + aeidein 'to sing' |
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tra‧ge‧dy
plural tragedies
plural tragedies1 [uncountable and countable] a very sad event, that shocks people because it involves death : The tragedy happened as they were returning home from a night out.
The tragedy happened as they were returning home from a night out.2 [countable] informal something that seems very sad and unnecessary because something will be wasted, lost, or harmed : It's a tragedy to see so much talent going to waste.
It's a tragedy to see so much talent going to waste.3
a) [countable]ALAPT a serious play or book that ends sadly, especially with the death of the main character [↪ comedy]: 'Hamlet' is one of Shakespeare's best known tragedies.
'Hamlet' is one of Shakespeare's best known tragedies.b) [uncountable]ALAPT this type of play or book : an actor specializing in tragedy
an actor specializing in tragedy