All Words > Anagnorisis

illustration Anagnorisis

Anagnorisis

[an-ag-NOR-ih-sis]

Part of speech: noun

Origin: Greek, late 18th century

1.

The point in a play, novel, etc., in which a principal character recognizes or discovers another character's true identity or the true nature of their own circumstances.

Examples of Anagnorisis in a sentence

"My favorite part of a story is the big reveal that happens at the anagnorisis."

"The hallmark of Scooby Doo is the moment of anagnorisis when we finally get to see who is under the monster's mask."

About Anagnorisis

This word aims to make everything crystal clear: it originated from the Greek words "ana" (back) and "gnorisis" (to make known), which when combined literally means "recognition."

Did you Know?

The anagnorisis is important in many different stories — and some reveals are particularly surprising. One of the most famous examples was "The Empire Strikes Back," when audiences were shocked to find out that Darth Vader was actually Luke Skywalker's father.

illustration Anagnorisis

Recent Words

What's the word?