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catastasis

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ca⋅tas⋅ta⋅sis

  [kuh-tas-tuh-sis]
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–noun, plural -ses  [-seez] .
the part of a drama, preceding the catastrophe, in which the action is at its height; the climax of a play. Compare catastrophe (def. 4), epitasis, protasis.
Origin:
1650–60; < Gk katástasis stability, akin to kathistánai to make stand, settle. See cata-, stasis
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ca·tas·ta·sis   (kə-tās'tə-sĭs)   
n.   pl. ca·tas·ta·ses (-sēz')

  1. The intensified part of the action directly preceding the catastrophe in classical tragedy.

  2. The climax of a drama.


[Greek katastasis, settled state, from kathistanai, to come into a certain state : kat-, kata-, cata- + histanai, to set; see stā- in Indo-European roots.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Encyclopedia

catastasis

the dramatic complication that immediately precedes the climax of a play or that occurs during the climax of a play. Compare catastrophe

Learn more about catastasis with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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