Adonic

[ uh-don-ik ]

adjective

1. Prosody. noting a verse consisting of a dactyl () followed by a spondee () or trochee ().
2. of or like Adonis.

noun

1. Prosody. an Adonic verse or line.

Adonic

/ əˈdəʊnɪk /

adjective

1. (in classical prosody) of or relating to a verse line consisting of a dactyl (¯˘˘) followed by a spondee (––) or by a trochee (¯˘), thought to have been first used in laments for Adonis
2. of or relating to Adonis

noun

1. an Adonic line or verse

Word History and Origins

Origin of Adonic¹

From the Medieval Latin word Adōnicus, dating back to 1670–80. See Adonis, -ic

Example Sentences

Of these the four-syllable type seems to me the one to be preferred, as giving the effect of the Adonic better than if it had been two syllables longer.

From Project Gutenberg