drama

Where does the word "drama" come from? It comes from Greek drama, passing through Latin before entering English (1500s-1600s).

Drama’s story begins in Greek: drama meant “an action, a deed.” Literally "action" or "a deed", from "dran" (to do). By ancient, the word had taken hold in Latin as drama. Adopted for a theatrical composition. It reached English by 1500s-1600s as drama. Settled as the English word for theatrical works. Today, drama means a play for theater, or an intense, emotional situation.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient drama "an action, a deed", literally "action" or "a deed", from "dran" (to do).
2. Stage 2 · Latin · ancient drama "a theatrical performance", adopted for a theatrical composition.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1500s-1600s drama "a play or theatrical work", settled as the English word for theatrical works.