Stichomythia
/ˌstɪkəˈmɪθiə/noun
A dialogue in verse, especially in drama, where speakers alternate single lines.
Did you know?In Greek theater, stichomythia could make a scene feel like a supernatural possession of language itself, with rapid-fire lines snapping like a spell duel.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
στιχομυθία (stichomythía)
“Dialogue delivered line by line, especially in drama”
Ancient Greek
Greek
στίχος (stíchos)
“A row, line, or verse-line”
Ancient Greek
Greek
μῦθος (mŷthos)
“Speech, story, utterance, discourse”
Late Latin / Scholarly Transmission
Latin
stichomythia
“A learned borrowing used in discussions of classical drama”
Modern English
English
stichomythia
“Rapid alternation of single verse lines between speakers in drama”