peripeteia

(per′ə pi tē′ə, -tī′-)

noun

a sudden change of fortune or reversal of circumstances, as in a drama

Origin: Gr, reversal < peripetēs, falling in with, changing suddenly < peri-, around (see peri-) + piptein, to fall (see feather)

See peripeteia in American Heritage Dictionary 4

also per·i·pe·ti·a

noun

A sudden change of events or reversal of circumstances, especially in a literary work.

Origin:

Origin: Greek

Origin: , from peripiptein, peripet-, to change suddenly

Origin: : peri-, peri-

Origin: + piptein, to fall; see pet- in Indo-European roots

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