1 anagnorises | Definition of anagnorises
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anagnorisis

noun
an·​ag·​no·​ri·​sis | \ ˌa-ˌnag-ˈnȯr-ə-səs How to pronounce anagnorisis (audio) \
plural anagnorises\ -​ˌsēz How to pronounce anagnorises (audio) \

Definition of anagnorisis

: the point in the plot especially of a tragedy at which the protagonist recognizes his or her or some other character's true identity or discovers the true nature of his or her own situation

Examples of anagnorisis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 One of the greatest expositions of (the idea of) anagnorisis — the moment of recognition in Aristotelian tragedy — is when Siegmund and Sieglinde discover each other’s identities as brother and sister. — John Von Rhein, chicagotribune.com, "How the Lyric Opera plans to take on 5 hours of Wagner's epic 'Die Walkure'," 31 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'anagnorisis.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of anagnorisis

1790, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for anagnorisis

Greek anagnōrisis, from anagnōrizein to recognize, from ana- + gnōrizein to make known; akin to Greek gnōrimos well-known, gignōskein to come to know — more at know

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More from Merriam-Webster on anagnorisis

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about anagnorisis

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