[melo.dra.ma] n [modif. of F melodrame, fr. Gk melos song + F drame drama, fr. LL drama] (1809) 1 a: a work (as a movie or play) characterized by extravagant theatricality and by the predominance of plot and physical action over characterization b: the genre of dramatic literature constituted by such works
2: something resembling a melodrama or having a melodramatic quality -- melo.dra.ma.tist n