[‘ In classical tragedy (and hence in other forms of drama, fiction, etc.): a point in the plot at which a sudden reversal occurs. In extended use: a sudden or dramatic change; a crisis.']
Pronunciation: Brit. /ˌpɛrᵻpᵻˈtʌɪə/, ˌpɛrᵻpᵻˈtɪə, U.S. /ˌpɛrəpəˈti(j)ə/, ˌpɛrəpəˈtaɪə
Forms: 15– *peripetia*, 17 *peripaetia* /irreg./, 17 *peripatia* /irreg./, 17 *peripeitia* /irreg./, 17– *peripeteia*.
Etymology: < post-classical Latin /peripetia/ a turn right about, a sudden change (a/1540), especially that on which the plot of a tragedy hinges (1579) and its etymon ancient Greek /περιπέτεια (Aristotle) < /περιπετής/ changing or turning suddenly ( < /περι-* peri- prefix + /πετ-*, stem of *πίπτειν* to fall (see ptosis n.), after *περιπίπτειν* to fall in with, to befall) + *-ία/ -ia suffix1. Compare French /péripétie* (1605).
In sense 2 after German /Peripetie/ (1940 or earlier in this sense: see peripety n.).
*1.* In classical tragedy (and hence in other forms of drama, fiction, etc.): a point in the plot at which a sudden reversal occurs. In extended use: a sudden or dramatic change; a crisis.
1591 J. Harington /Briefe Apol. Poetrie/ in tr. L. Ariosto /Orlando Furioso/ sig. ¶vijv, They would haue an heroicall Poem (aswell as a Tragedie) to be full of Peripetia.
1652 T. Urquhart /Εκσκυβαλαυρον/ 111 In the Peripetia of this Drammatical exercitation.
1695 W. J. tr. R. Le Bossu /Treat. Epick Poem/ ii. xvi. 101 But let this Turn [of Fortune] be what it will, double or single, fortunate or unfortunate, ‘tis still called a peripetia.
1713 Pope /Narr. Robert Norris/ 17 Here is no Peripætia, no Change of Fortune in the Tragedy.
1761 L. Sterne /Life Tristram Shandy/ IV. 56 It has its Protasis, Epistasis, Catastasis, its Catastrophe or Peripeitia\_[1769 /Peripeteia/] growing one out of the other in it, in the order Aristotle first planted them.
1864 C. Kingsley /Roman & Teuton/ iv. 119 A strange peripeteia for the Amal.
1877 J. Morley /Crit. Misc./ 2nd Ser. 120 It would take a volume to follow out all the peripeteias of the drama.
1908 /Times/ 3 Mar. 10/5 Mr. Barrie has..turned them [/sc./ stage props] into instruments of a dramatic peripeteia, and at the same time into symbols.
1976 S. Hynes /Auden Generation/ vii. 193 In that pattern, 1936 is the peripeteia, the point where the action turned.
2003 /Village Voice (N.Y.)/(Nexis) 4 Feb. 99 We’ve seen popular MCs demonstrate contrition through a public peripeteia involving religion and apologetic interviews.
*2.* /Psychoanal./ In Jungian theory: = peripety n. 2.
1960 R. F. C. Hull tr. C. G. Jung /Nature of Dreams/ in /Coll. Wks./ VIII. 295 The third phase brings the culmination or peripeteia\_[Ger. /Peripetie/]. Here something decisive happens or something changes completely.