View synonyms for denouement

denouement

or dé·noue·ment

[ dey-noo-mahn ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

the final resolution of the intricacies of a plot, as of a drama or novel.
the place in the plot at which this occurs.
the outcome or resolution of a doubtful series of occurrences.
Synonyms: upshot, end, conclusion, solution

denouement

/ deɪˈnuːmɒn; denumɑ̃ /

noun

1. the final clarification or resolution of a plot in a play or other work
2. the point at which this occurs
final outcome; solution

dénouement

The solution or outcome of the plot of a play or novel : “In the dénouement of many tragedies , the main character dies.”

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Word History and Origins

Origin of denouement¹

First recorded in 1745–55; from French: literally, “an untying,” equivalent to dénouer “to untie,” Old French desnoer ( des- + noer “to knot,” from Latin nōdāre, derivative of nōdus “knot”) + -ment; de-, -ment

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Word History and Origins

Origin of denouement¹

C18: from French, literally: an untying, from dénouer to untie, from Old French desnoer, from des- de- + noer to tie, knot, from Latin nōdāre, from nōdus a knot; see node

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Example Sentences

We talk of it for ever, and he feels ardent after the d'enouement; hee "could not get rid of the rogue," he said.

From Project Gutenberg

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