Definition of catastasis

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< catarrhine

catastrophe >

ca·tas·ta·sis    (k-tst-ss) KEY 

NOUN:
pl. ca·tas·ta·ses  (-sz) KEY 

1. The intensified part of the action directly preceding the catastrophe in classical tragedy.
2. The climax of a drama.

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ETYMOLOGY:
Greek katastasis, settled state, from kathistanai, to come into a certain state : kat-, kata-, cata- + histanai, to set; see st- in Indo-European roots