Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Catastasis
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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)
- 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