tetralogy

noun

te·​tral·​o·​gy te-ˈträ-lə-jē  -ˈtra- 

plural tetralogies

1

: a series of four connected works (such as operas or novels)

2

: a group of four dramatic pieces presented consecutively on the Attic stage at the Dionysiac festival

Did you know?

The original tetralogies were sets of four plays (three tragedies and a comedy) performed serially on the Athenian stages of ancient Greece. These sets of plays were similar to the "trilogy," a group of three serial Greek tragedies. The word tetralogy is from the Greek combining form tetra-, meaning "four," joined with the combining form "-logia," which in turn comes from logos, meaning "word." Other "tetra-" words include "tetrahedron" (a solid shape formed by four flat faces) and "tetrapod" (a vertebrate with two pairs of limbs).

Examples of tetralogy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This is one of Lila’s central moments as a character in all of the tetralogy. —Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 30 Sep. 2024

Earlier this year, it was announced that each member of the Beatles will be the subject of his own biopic in a new tetralogy directed by Sam Mendes and set for release in 2027. —Eric Torres, Pitchfork, 14 Oct. 2024

His son was born with a congenital heart condition called tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia, the comedian told the audience at the time. —Naledi Ushe, USA TODAY, 9 July 2024

At birth, Billy was diagnosed with tetralogy of Fallot. —Sara Vallone, Miami Herald, 8 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Greek tetralogia, from tetra- + -logia -logy

First Known Use

1656, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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