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Webster 1913 Edition


Comedy

Com′e-dy

,
Noun.
;
pl.
Comedies
(#)
.
[F.
comédie
, L.
comoedia
, fr. Gr. [GREEK]; [GREEK] a jovial festivity with music and dancing, a festal procession, an ode sung at this procession (perh. akin to [GREEK] village, E.
home
) + [GREEK] to sing; for comedy was originally of a lyric character. See
Home
, and
Ode
.]
A dramatic composition, or representation of a bright and amusing character, based upon the foibles of individuals, the manners of society, or the ludicrous events or accidents of life; a play in which mirth predominates and the termination of the plot is happy; – opposed to
tragedy
.
With all the vivacity of
comedy
.
Macaulay.
Are come to play a pleasant
comedy
.
Shakespeare

Webster 1828 Edition


Comedy

COMEDY

,
Noun.
A dramatic composition intended to represent human characters, which are to be imitated in language, dress and manner, by actors on a stage, for the amusement of spectators. The object of comedy is said to be to recommend virtue and make vice ridiculous; but the real effect is amusement.

Definition 2024


comedy

comedy

English

Alternative forms

Noun

comedy (countable and uncountable, plural comedies)

  1. (historical) A choric song of celebration or revel, especially in Ancient Greece.
  2. A light, amusing play with a happy ending.
  3. (Medieval Europe) A narrative poem with an agreeable ending (e.g., The Divine Comedy).
  4. (drama) A dramatic work that is light and humorous or satirical in tone.
  5. (drama) The genre of such works.
  6. Entertainment composed of jokes, satire, or humorous performance.
    Why would you be watching comedy when there are kids starving right now?
  7. The art of composing comedy.
  8. A humorous event.

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