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hamartia

noun
ha·​mar·​tia | \ ˌhä-ˌmär-ˈtē-ə How to pronounce hamartia (audio) \

Definition of hamartia

: tragic flaw
Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about hamartia

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Did You Know?

Harmartia arose from the Greek verb hamartanein, meaning "to miss the mark" or "to err." Aristotle introduced the term in the Poetics to describe the error of judgment which ultimately brings about the tragic hero's downfall. As you can imagine, the word is most often found in literary criticism. However, news writers occasionally employ the word when discussing the unexplainable misfortune or missteps of übercelebrities regarded as immortal gods and goddesses before being felled by their own shortcomings.

Examples of hamartia in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 Kennedy’s ruthlessness and ambition—which are treated as the Kennedys’ hamartia in Chappaquiddick—are swept under the rug of his compassion. — Alex Shephard, The New Republic, "The Eternal Return of the Kennedys," 30 Apr. 2018

First Known Use of hamartia

1913, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for hamartia

Greek, from hamartanein to miss the mark, err

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More Definitions for hamartia

hamartia

noun
ha·​mar·​tia | \ ˌhäm-ˌär-ˈtē-ə also hə-ˈmär-sh(ē-)ə\

Medical Definition of hamartia

: hamartoma

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