MELODRAMA

melodrama

(noun) an extravagant comedy in which action is more salient than characterization

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

melodrama (countable and uncountable, plural melodramas or melodramata)

(archaic, uncountable) A kind of drama having a musical accompaniment to intensify the effect of certain scenes.

(countable) A drama abounding in romantic sentiment and agonizing situations, with a musical accompaniment only in parts which are especially thrilling or pathetic. In opera, a passage in which the orchestra plays a somewhat descriptive accompaniment, while the actor speaks

(uncountable, figuratively, colloquial) Any situation or action which is blown out of proportion.

Source: Wiktionary

Mel`o*dra"ma, n. Etym: [F. mélodrame, fr. Gr.

Definition: Formerly, a kind of drama having a musical accompaniment to intensify the effect of certain scenes. Now, a drama abounding in romantic sentiment and agonizing situations, with a musical accompaniment only in parts which are especially thrilling or pathetic. In opera, a passage in which the orchestra plays a somewhat descriptive accompaniment, while the actor speaks; as, the melodrama in the gravedigging scene of Beethoven's "Fidelio".

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition