tragicomedy

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a dramatic composition involving elements of both tragedy and comedy usually with the tragic predominating
  2. noun a comedy with serious elements or overtones

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French tragicomédie (whence French tragicomédie), itself borrowed from Italian tragicommedia, from Latin tragicōmoedia, tragicocōmoedia. By surface analysis, tragic + comedy, with haplology.

In classic literature

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