Fatal flaw, in drama-speak

• The character flaw or error of a tragic hero that leads to his downfall

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. 1 The tragic flaw of the protagonist in a literary tragedy. 2 (''Christian theology''): sin

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia
The term hamartia derives from the Greek ἁμαρτία, from ἁμαρτάνειν hamartánein , which means "to miss the mark" or "to err". It is most often associated with Greek tragedy , although it is also used in Christian theology . Hamartia as it pertains to dramatic ...

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. the character flaw or error of a tragic hero that leads to his downfall [syn: tragic flaw ]

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
Greek, literally "fault, failure, guilt," from hamartanein "to fail of one's purpose; to err, sin," originally "to miss the mark."