tragic

• tragick (obsolete)

From Ancient Greek τραγικός (tragikós, “of or relating to tragedy”), from τράγος (trágos, “male goat”), a reference to the goat-satyrs of the theatrical plays of the Dorians.

• IPA^(key): /ˈtɹædʒɪk/

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ædʒɪk

tragic (comparative more tragic, superlative most tragic)

1. Causing great sadness or suffering.
   • 2012 March-April, Jan Sapp, “Race Finished”, in American Scientist‎, volume 100, number 2, page 164:

     Few concepts are as emotionally charged as that of race. The word conjures up a mixture of associations—culture, ethnicity, genetics, subjugation, exclusion and persecution. But is the tragic history of efforts to define groups of people by race really a matter of the misuse of science, the abuse of a valid biological concept?

2. Relating to tragedy in a literary work.
3. (in tabloid newspapers) Having been the victim of a tragedy.
   • 2008, Search for tragic Madeleine McCann over (in The Daily Telegraph of Australia, 14 February 2008)
   • 2012, Gary Meneely, Keano’s tribute to tragic James (in The Irish Sun, 25 June 2012)

• tragic flaw

• tragicomic
• tragical
• tragically

tragic (plural tragics)

1. (Australia, colloquial) An obsessive fan, a superfan
   • 2011 March 31. James Macsmith "General Russell Crowe and his Rabbitoh minions" CNN Travel:

     Within the club itself, Crowe is regarded not only as a benefactor but as a fanatic -- a Rabbitohs tragic.

   • 2013 March 13. Ricky Stuart, quoted in "Doping scandal is overwhelming league: Stuart":

     I'm a fan of rugby league. I'm a tragic of rugby league.

   • 2013 August 28. Kent Steedman, The Guardian "The Knowledge: Rifled In"

     Damian was/is a football tragic, the rest of us just like it to varying degrees.

   • 2015 March 29. Jermaine, Wharf Hotel website WE DON'T LIKE FOOTBALL - WE LOVE IT!

     Footy's back and as I'm a footy tragic it means I'm one very happy man.

2. (obsolete) A writer of tragedy.
3. (obsolete) A tragedy; a tragic drama.