anapest
or an·a·paest
[ an-uh-pest ]
nounProsody.
a foot of three syllables, two short followed by one long in quantitative meter, and two unstressed followed by one stressed in accentual meter, as in for the nonce.
Origin of anapest
11580–90; <Latin anapaestus<Greek anápaistos struck back, reversed (as compared with a dactyl), equivalent to ana-ana- + pais- (variant stem of paíein to strike) + -tos past participle suffix
Other words from anapest
- an·a·pes·tic, an·a·paes·tic, adjective
- an·a·pes·ti·cal·ly, an·a·paes·ti·cal·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
How to use anapest in a sentence
Consisting of four Anapests (˘ ˘ ¯) in which the accent rests upon every third syllable.
Reliques of Ancient English Poetry, Volume II (of 3) | Thomas PercyHere the tendency is to use iambi and anapests in alternate feet; see especially lines 2, 3, and 5.
English Verse | Raymond MacDonald Alden, Ph.D.Perfect anapests, like perfect dactyls, are comparatively few in English.
The Principles of English Versification | Paull Franklin BaumThe rhyme—ay, the rhyme—has a dozen at least;—couplets—interlaced rhyme—single rhyme and double—anapests—diverse lyrical measures.
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