Emily Dickinson Lexicon

TRAG'E-DY, n. [Fr. tragedie; It. and Sp. tragedia; Gr. τραγωδια; said to be composed of τραγος, a goat, and ωδη, a song, because originally it consisted in a hymn sung in honor of Bacchus by a chorus of music, with dances and the sacrifice of a goat.]

1. A dramatic poem representing some signal action performed by illustrious persons, and generally having a fatal issue. æshylus is called the father of tragedy. All our tragedies are of kings and princes. Taylor.
2. A fatal and mournful event; any event in which human lives are lost by human violence, more particularly by unauthorized violence.