melodramata

English

Etymology

A plural form of melodrama formed on the pattern of dramata; representing a supposed Ancient Greek etymon of the form *μελοδράματα (melodrāmata), from the extant roots μέλος (melos) and δράματα (drāmata; the nominative plural form of δρᾶμα, drāma).

Pronunciation

• (RP) enPR: mĕʹlōdrämətə, mĕlōdräʹmətə, IPA: /ˈmɛləʊdɹɑːmətə/, /mɛləʊˈdɹɑːmətə/, X-SAMPA: /"mEl@Udr\A:m@t@/, /mEl@U"dr\A:m@t@/
• (UK) enPR: mĕʹlədrä'mətə, IPA: /ˈmɛləˌdɹɑːmətə/, X-SAMPA: /"mEl@%dr\A:m@t@/
• (US) enPR: mĕʹlədrä'mətə, IPA: /ˈmɛləˌdɻɑmətə/, X-SAMPA: /"mEl@%dr\`Am@t@/

Noun

melodramata pl

1. (rare) Plural form of melodrama
   • 1984, Michael Harold Brown, Marked to Die, page 293

     At the Tobyhanna depot, before he left, Festa turned to Chief Deputy Marshal Scheu and cried. “If I get sent away, you gotta watch Rose for me.” Scheu did not and would not believe that this display was simply melodramata.

   • 2011 May 20th, Adam H. Kerman, rec.arts.tv, “The Big Bang Theory ‘The Roomate Transmogrification’ (spoilers)”, Message ID: <ir4eq2$7qu$1@news.albasani.net>

     Unfortunately, the show veers into melodramata when a soused Penny expresses second thoughts to Raj about dumping Leonard.