denouement

also n.

1. 1. The final resolution or clarification of a dramatic or narrative plot.
   2. The events following the climax of a drama or novel in which such a resolution or clarification takes place.
2. The outcome of a sequence of events; the end result.

[French dénouement, from Old French desnouement, an untying, from desnouer, to undo : des-, de- + nouer, to tie (from Latin nōdāre , from nōdus, knot).]

(day-noo-MAHN)

noun
1. The final resolution or clarification of a dramatic or narrative plot. The events following the climax of a drama or novel in which such a resolution or clarification takes place.
2. The outcome of a sequence of events; the end result.

Etymology
French denouement, from Old French desnouement, an untying, from desnouer, to undo : des-, de- + nouer, to tie (from Latin nodare, from nodus, knot.

Usage
"However, there's not much she can do to spice up Marc Lawrence's witless, uninspired screenplay, which, despite an unpredictable denouement, fails to captivate and leave a meaningful impression." — Tam Notosusanto, A Fling Amid Bad Weather in 'Forces of Nature', The Jakarta Post, 8 Aug 1999.

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If you thought you could predict the outcome for Harry Potter and his friends in the sixth installment of the series, think again. J.K. Rowling, author of the world-renowned novels, has made this tale even gloomier than those that came before, with a denouement that will leave you yearning for the seventh and final book. The New York Times writes,

"In 'Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince' ... a thoroughly harrowing denouement ... sees the death of yet another important person in Harry's life, and ... renders this, the sixth volume of the series, the darkest and most unsettling installment yet."

Link: Harry Potter Works His Magic Again in a Far Darker Tale

Posted July 18, 2005.

See our Word Overheard blog to see interesting uses of strange words.

n

Definition: finale
Antonyms: beginning

n

Definition: outcome
Antonyms: origin

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dénouement [day‐noo‐mahⁿ], the clearing up or ‘untying’ of the complications of the plot in a play or story; usually a final scene or chapter in which mysteries, confusions, and doubtful destinies are clarified. See also catastrophe.

(day-nooh-mahnn)

The solution or outcome of the plot of a play or novel: “In the dénouement of many tragedies, the main character dies.”

[F.] the final outcome

IN BRIEF: An outcome or solution; the unraveling of a plot.

The denouement of the novel shocked the students.

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Dansk (Danish)
n. - løsning, afsløring, opklaring

Nederlands (Dutch)
ontknoping

Français (French)
n. - dénouement

Deutsch (German)
n. - Auflösung, Ausgang

Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - λύση ή επίλογος (δράματος κ.λπ.)

Italiano (Italian)
epilogo

Português (Portuguese)
n. - desenlace (m)

Русский (Russian)
развязка

Español (Spanish)
n. - desenlace, lugar en la trama donde el desenlace ocurre

Svenska (Swedish)
n. - upplösning (i drama)

中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
结局, 收场

中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 結局, 收場

한국어 (Korean)
n. - 해소, 대단원

日本語 (Japanese)
n. - 大詰, 大団円, 解決

العربيه (Arabic)
‏(الاسم) الجز الأخير وبخاصه من كتاب أو مسرحيه تحل فيه العقدة ( توضح الأمور)‏

עברית (Hebrew)
n. - ‮סוף המעשה, שלב סופי, התבהרות‬

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