word
Literary
Greek
peripeteia
peh-rih-peh-TEE-ah
ˌpɛrɪpɪˈteɪəListen
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Syllable breakdown
peripeteia
Dictionary meaning
A sudden reversal of fortune or change in circumstances, especially in a literary work; coined by Aristotle in his Poetics.
History and origin
Greek — 'peripeteia' (sudden change), from 'peri' (around) + 'piptein' (to fall).
Examples
- The protagonist's peripeteia came when she discovered that her business partner had been embezzling funds.
Common mispronunciations
peh-rih-PEH-tee-ahPERI-peh-tee-ah
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