melodramicadj.
/ˌmɛlə(ʊ)ˈdramɪk/, U.S. /ˌmɛləˈdræmɪk/ = melodramatic adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > aspects of emotion > manifestation of emotion > [adjective] > given to or marked by exhibition of emotion > melodramatic
melodramatic1789
melodramatized1820
melodramatical1825
melodramic1835
breast-beating1887
thunder and lightning1892
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > drama > [adjective] > melodrama
melodramatic1789
cloak and sword1806
melodramic1835
cloak and dagger1841
Adelphi1883
lyceum1898
transpontine1901
Grand Guignolesque1908
Grand Guignolish1908
1835 New-Eng. Mag. Sept. 164 Even the melodramic horrors of ‘Rockwood’ are relieved by the thrilling interest of the book of the ‘Highwayman’.
1852 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 71 374 The public appetite is not to be sated..with mere melodramic romance.
1935 in Amer. Q. (1984) 36 23 The tangible part of Mr Fisher's report might be made very melodramic but he does not believe in doing that.
1989 Christian Sci. Monitor (Nexis) 23 Aug. 11 The war itself is so vast and upsetting..that the filmmakers must be faulted for using it..simply as a backdrop for melodramic events.
1994 Daily Tel. (Nexis) 2 July 10 Dickens's melodramic pursuit of the perfect woman.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2001; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1835