tragic

Etymology

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.

adj

1. Causing great sadness or suffering.
   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? 2012 March-April, Jan Sapp, “Race Finished”, in American Scientist, volume 100, number 2, page 164
2. Relating to tragedy in a literary work.
3. (in tabloid newspapers) Having been the victim of a tragedy.
   14 February 2008, “Search for tragic Madeleine McCann over”, in The Daily Telegraph, Australia:
   25 June 2012, Gary Meneely, The Irish Sun:
4. (informal, chiefly predicative) Cringeworthy; tryhard; unhip; embarrassing; hopeless; indicative of (or having) a chronic lack of self-awareness.
   That dress is tragic.
   He's pretty tragic these days, hanging out with people half his age.

noun

1. (Australia, colloquial) An obsessive fan, a superfan
   Within the club itself, Crowe is regarded not only as a benefactor but as a fanatic -- a Rabbitohs tragic. March 31 2011, James Macsmith, “General Russell Crowe and his Rabbitoh minions”, in Travel, CNN
   I'm a fan of rugby league. I'm a tragic of rugby league. 2013 March 13. Ricky Stuart, quoted in "Doping scandal is overwhelming league: Stuart"
   Damian was/is a football tragic, the rest of us just like it to varying degrees. August 28 2013, Kent Steedman, “The Knowledge: Rifled In”, in The Guardian
   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.