Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Catastasis


Ca-tas′ta-sis

,
Noun.
[NL., fr. Gr. [GREEK], fr. [GREEK] to set;
κατά
down + [GREEK] to place.]
1.
(Rhet.)
That part of a speech, usually the exordium, in which the orator sets forth the subject matter to be discussed.
2.
(Med.)
The state, or condition of anything; constitution; habit of body.

Definition 2024


catastasis

catastasis

English

Noun

catastasis (countable and uncountable, plural catastases)

  1. In classical drama, the third and penultimate section, in which action is heightened for the catastrophe.
    • 1922, It doubles itself in the middle of his life, reflects itself in another, repeats itself, protasis, epitasis, catastasis, catastrophe. — James Joyce, Ulysses
    • 1965, ‘The object of the meta-theatre is precisely that – to allow the participants to see through their first roles in it. But that is only the catastasis.’ — John Fowles, The Magus

Related terms