(traj′ə·dē) noun plural ·dies
1. A form of drama in which the protagonist, having some quality of greatness (and, in Greek, Roman, and Renaissance tragedy, in high place) comes to disaster through some flaw (which may be a noble fault) in his nature that interacts with the fabric of events (the plot) to bring about his inevitable downfall or death, the action being managed in a way to produce pity and fear in the spectator and to effect a catharsis of these feelings. The failure to achieve this leads to tragedy manquée, which falls short of true tragedy. To the outcome of death or madness usual in ancient and Renaissance tragedy, modern tragedy adds the possibility of frustration and unfulfilment from which there seems no escape. Opposed to comedy.
2. A fatal event or course of events; murder, especially one involving dramatic incidents.
3. A very terrible or sorrowful fate or end.
4. The art or theory of acting or composing tragedy. [<OF tregedie, tragedie <L tragoedia <Gk. tragōidia appar. <tragos a goat + ōidē a song; semantic development uncertain]

(traj′ə·dē)
Tragedy personified, especially as Melpomene.