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n. 1. a. A separate part of a serialized work, such as a novel or television series. b. A section of a classic Greek tragedy that occurs between two choric songs. 2. a. An incident or event that is part of a progression or a larger sequence: "one brief, if distressing, episode in a life rich in adventures, challenges, sorrows and joys" (Elizabeth Speller). b. One of a series of events in the course of a narrative or drama. See Synonyms at occurrence. 3. Music A passage between statements of a main subject or theme, as in a rondo or fugue. [French épisode, from Greek epeisodion, parenthetic narrative, from neuter of epeisodios, coming in besides : epi-, epi- + eisodios, entering (eis, into; see en in the Appendix of Indo-European roots + hodos, way, journey).] |
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