Pronunciation: [kˈɒθɜːn] (IPA) 
The spelling of the word "Cothurn" is not immediately clear from the pronunciation. It is pronounced as /'kɑθərn/, with the stress on the second syllable. The IPA phonetic transcription shows that the combination of "th" and "urn" creates a unique sound. The word "cothurn" refers to a high, thick-soled shoe or boot used in ancient Greece for tragic actors. Though no longer common today, the word is still used in literature and theater.
A cothurn is a noun that refers to a type of boot or thick-soled shoe worn by ancient Greek actors and tragic performers. In ancient Greek theatre, the cothurn represented an elevated footwear that was used to distinguish and emphasize the stature of characters with higher social status or divine beings.
Derived from the Greek word "kóthornos," the cothurn was constructed with a high, platform-like sole made of cork or wood, which elevated the actors several inches off the ground. The upper part of the cothurn was typically made of leather, often adorned with decorative elements or straps. The design of the cothurn allowed actors to have a more imposing figure on stage, increasing their height and, subsequently, exaggerating their grandeur or importance.
While the primary purpose of cothurns was to emphasize the social status or godliness of the characters, they also served practical purposes. The elevated sole of the cothurns provided actors with better visibility on stage, making them more visible to the audience in large, open-air amphitheaters. Additionally, the thick-soled shoes also provided some protection to the actors' feet, particularly when scenes involved challenging terrain or demanding dance movements.
Although cothurns are most commonly associated with ancient Greek theatre, similar footwear has been used in the theatre traditions of other cultures. The cothurn represents an iconic element of ancient Greek performing arts, and its distinctive appearance continues to be recognized and associated with historical theatre practices.
The word "Cothurn" originates from the Greek term "kothornos" (κόθορνος), which refers to a type of high boot or buskin worn by ancient Greek tragic actors. The term is derived from the Greek verb "kothornizein" (κοθορνίζειν), meaning "to put on buskins". Buskins were boots with thick soles that elevated the wearer, making them appear taller and more imposing on stage. Eventually, "Cothurn" came to be used as a synonym for the elevated tragic style of acting itself.
