drama English · revision 4027

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1515|origins=grc δρᾶμα}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: UK /ˈdrɑː.mə/, US /ˈdrɑː.mə/, /ˈdræm.ə/^(Roach et al. 2011)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la-lat|drāma|t=play, drama]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) at first through French drame,^(SOED 2002)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[grc|δρᾶμα|tr=drâma|t=action, deed; play, spectacle]] (genitive drámatos),^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) from [[m|grc|δράω|tr=dráō|t=to do, act, perform]],^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) which is of uncertain etymology;^(Etymonline) Barnhart and Merriam-Webster compare Lithuanian daryti “to do, make”.^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) It is related to [[dramatic]] and [[drastic]].^(Barnhart 1988)^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ A composition presenting a course of human action in dialogue, to be acted: 1515 in the OED, Barnhart and Merriam-Webster, spelled drame;^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) the spelling drama is in Ben Jonson's Epigrams (1616).^(Barnhart 1988)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ “Theatrical literature generally, drama as an art” is from the 1660s,^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) and a series of events leading to a climax, like a play, by 1714.^(Etymonline)^(OED 1989) Dramatic quality, colourfulness or excitement, is from 1930.^(OED 1989) ''Dramatic'' is from 1589,^(Barnhart 1988) ''dramatis personae'', the characters of a play, from 1730,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Cresswell 2021) the ''drama-documentary'' from 1970^(OED 1989) and ''drama queen'' by 1992.^(Etymonline) Johnson defined drama as “a poem accommodated to action”.^(Johnson 1755)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1515 – a play.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1589 – ''dramatic''.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1660s – drama as an art.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1714 – a series of events like a play.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1930 – excitement, colourfulness.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1992 – ''drama queen''.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A composition in prose or verse, especially a serious one, written to be performed by actors; a [[play]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A serious work for television, radio or the cinema.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Plays as a branch of literature or art; the [[theatre]].^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # A situation or series of events with the conflict and emotion of a play.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+ # Dramatic quality; excitement.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[biodrama]]

+ * [[docudrama]]

+ * [[dramedy]]

+ * [[melodrama]]

+ * [[minidrama]]

+ * [[monodrama]]

+ * [[photodrama]]

+ * [[psychodrama]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[dramatic]]

+ * [[dramatics]]

+ * [[dramatist]]

+ * [[dramatization]]

+ * [[dramatize]]

+ * [[drastic]]

+ * [[dramaturge]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}