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anacruses

 - 2 dictionary results

an⋅a⋅cru⋅sis

  [an-uh-kroo-sis]
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–noun, plural -cru⋅ses  [-kroo-seez] .
1. Prosody. an unstressed syllable or syllable group that begins a line of verse but is not counted as part of the first foot.
2. Music. the note or notes preceding a downbeat; upbeat.
Origin:
1825–35; < L < Gk anákrousis, equiv. to anakroú(ein) to strike up, push back (ana- ana- + kroúein to strike, push) + -sis -sis

Related forms:
an⋅a⋅crus⋅tic  [an-uh-kruhs-tik] , adjective
an⋅a⋅crus⋅ti⋅cal⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Word Origin & History

anacrusis 
1833, "a syllable at the beginning of a verse before the rhyme," from Gk. anakrousis "a pushing back," from ana- "back" + krouein "to strike" (cognate with Rus. krusit, Lith. krusu "to smash, shatter," O.C.S. kruchu "piece, bit of food").
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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