melodramata

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) enPR: mĕʹlōdrämətə, mĕlōdräʹmətə, IPA^(key): /ˈmɛləʊdɹɑːmətə/, /mɛləʊˈdɹɑːmətə/
• (UK) enPR: mĕʹlədrä'mətə, IPA^(key): /ˈmɛləˌdɹɑːmətə/
• (US) enPR: mĕʹlədrä'mətə, IPA^(key): /ˈmɛləˌdɹɑmətə/

Noun

melodramata pl

1. (rare) plural 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^[sic] 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.