i·am·bic

[ahy-am-bik]
adjective
1.
Prosody.
a.
pertaining to the iamb.
b.
consisting of or employing an iamb or iambs.
2.
Greek Literature. noting or pertaining to satirical poetry written in iambs.
noun
3.
Prosody.
a.
an iamb.
b.
Usually, iambics. a verse or poem consisting of iambs.
4.
Greek Literature. a satirical poem in this meter.

Origin:
1565–75; < Latin iambicus < Greek iambikós. See iambus, -ic

i·am·bi·cal·ly, adverb
un·i·am·bic, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
Cite This Source Link To iambic
00:10
Iambic is always a great word to know.
So is bezoar. Does it mean:
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
a stew of meat, vegetables, potatoes, etc.
Collins
World English Dictionary
iambic (aɪˈæmbɪk) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
adj
1.  of, relating to, consisting of, or using an iamb or iambs
2.  (in Greek literature) denoting a type of satirical verse written in iambs
 
n
3.  a metrical foot, line, or stanza of verse consisting of iambs
4.  a type of ancient Greek satirical verse written in iambs
 
i'ambically
 
adv

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

iambic
1575, from L. iambicus, from Gk. iambikos, from iambos "metrical foot of one unaccented followed by one accented syllable," from iaptein "to assail" (in words); the meter of invective and lampoon in classical Gk. from the time it was used for such by Archilochos, 7c. B.C.E.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Example sentences
He wrote in both prose and verse and perfected the use of iambic pentameter.
Today the notion of people opening their mouths to sing their hearts out is as anachronistic as speaking in iambic pentameter.
Members of the audience, sitting on the floor or leaning against the wall, nodded their heads to the iambic pentameter.
For her drama students, iambic pentameter competes against the racket of truck deliveries and the aroma of cookies baking.
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