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peripetia

 - 2 dictionary results

per⋅i⋅pe⋅tei⋅a

  [per-uh-pi-tahy-uh, -tee-uh]
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–noun
a sudden turn of events or an unexpected reversal, esp. in a literary work.
Also, per⋅i⋅pe⋅ti⋅a, pe⋅rip⋅e⋅ty  [puh-rip-i-tee] .

Origin:
1585–95; < Gk peripéteia sudden change, equiv. to peripet(s) lit., falling round (peri- peri- + pet-, base of píptein to fall) + -eia -y 3
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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per·i·pe·te·ia also per·i·pe·ti·a   (pěr'ə-pə-tē'ə, -tī'ə)   
n.  A sudden change of events or reversal of circumstances, especially in a literary work.

[Greek, from peripiptein, peripet-, to change suddenly : peri-, peri- + piptein, to fall; see pet- 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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