Tetralogy

Tetralogy

teˈträləjē 

Noun

  • A series of four connected works (such as operas or novels).

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Example Sentences

“The author planned the story as a tetralogy, knowing the emotional payoff wouldn’t come until the final book.”

“My husband and I binged the entire tetralogy of movies over winter break.” 

“The museum lecture traced the paintings as a visual tetralogy, with each panel representing a different season of life.”

Word Origin

Greek, mid-17th century

Why this word?

If you’ve read a series of four books, or watched four movies made as a set, you’ve experienced a tetralogy. This word comes from the Greek “tetra,” meaning “four,” and the suffix “-logy,” which indicates an interest or topic of study. In ancient Greece, tetralogies were presented in competition at Dionysiac festivals, which were the foundation for the Greek theater tradition. Dramatists would compete with three tragedies, followed by a satyr play, a drama containing “swift action, vigorous dancing, boisterous fun, and much indecency in speech and gesture,” according to one classical theater guide. 

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skripˈt(j)ʊriənt