tragicomedy

tragicomedy
    n 1: a dramatic composition involving elements of both tragedy
         and comedy usually with the tragic predominating
    2: a comedy with serious elements or overtones [syn:
       {seriocomedy}, {tragicomedy}]
    

Tragi-comedy \Trag`i-com"e*dy\, n. [Cf. F. tragicom['e]die, L.
   tragicocomoedia. See {Tragic}, and {Comedy}.]
   A kind of drama representing some action in which serious and
   comic scenes are blended; a composition partaking of the
   nature both of tragedy and comedy.
   [1913 Webster]

         The noble tragi-comedy of "Measure for Measure."
                                                  --Macaulay.
   [1913 Webster] Tragi-comic
    

Drama \Dra"ma\ (dr[aum]"m[.a] or dr[=a]"m[.a]; 277), n. [L.
   drama, Gr. dra^ma, fr. dra^n to do, act; cf. Lith. daryti.]
   1. A composition, in prose or poetry, accommodated to action,
      and intended to exhibit a picture of human life, or to
      depict a series of grave or humorous actions of more than
      ordinary interest, tending toward some striking result. It
      is commonly designed to be spoken and represented by
      actors on the stage.
      [1913 Webster]

            A divine pastoral drama in the Song of Solomon.
                                                  --Milton.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A series of real events invested with a dramatic unity and
      interest. "The drama of war." --Thackeray.
      [1913 Webster]

            Westward the course of empire takes its way;
            The four first acts already past,
            A fifth shall close the drama with the day;
            Time's noblest offspring is the last. --Berkeley.
      [1913 Webster]

            The drama and contrivances of God's providence.
                                                  --Sharp.
      [1913 Webster]

   3. Dramatic composition and the literature pertaining to or
      illustrating it; dramatic literature.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: The principal species of the drama are {tragedy} and
         {comedy}; inferior species are {tragi-comedy},
         {melodrama}, {operas}, {burlettas}, and {farces}.
         [1913 Webster]

   {The romantic drama}, the kind of drama whose aim is to
      present a tale or history in scenes, and whose plays (like
      those of Shakespeare, Marlowe, and others) are stories
      told in dialogue by actors on the stage. --J. A. Symonds.
      Dramatic
    

45 Moby Thesaurus words for "tragicomedy":
      Thalia, arlequinade, black comedy, broad comedy, burlesque,
      burletta, camp, comedie bouffe, comedie larmoyante, comedie rosse,
      comedietta, comedy, comedy ballet, comedy of humors,
      comedy of ideas, comedy of intrigue, comedy of manners,
      comedy of situation, comedy relief, comic muse, comic opera,
      comic relief, dark comedy, domestic comedy, exode, farce,
      farce comedy, genteel comedy, harlequinade, high camp,
      light comedy, low camp, low comedy, mime, musical, musical comedy,
      opera buffa, raw comedy, realistic comedy, romantic comedy,
      satyr play, sentimental comedy, situation comedy, slapstick,
      slapstick comedy