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tragic flaw

 - 3 dictionary results

tragic flaw

 
Use tragic flaw in a Sentence
–noun Literature.
the character defect that causes the downfall of the protagonist of a tragedy; hamartia.
Origin:
1950–55
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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tragic flaw  
n.  A flaw in the character of the protagonist of a tragedy that brings the protagonist to ruin or sorrow.
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

tragic flaw

(hamartia from Greek hamartanein, "to err"), inherent defect or shortcoming in the hero of a tragedy, who is in other respects a superior being favoured by fortune.

Learn more about tragic flaw with a free trial on Britannica.com.

Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
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