anapaest

/ ˈænəpɛst; -piːst /

noun

1. prosody a metrical foot of three syllables, the first two short, the last long ( )

Derived Forms

• ˌanaˈpaestic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of anapaest¹

C17: via Latin from Greek anapaistos reversed (that is, a dactyl reversed), from anapaiein, from ana- back + paiein to strike

Example Sentences

"Home," by Margaret Mahon, is a poem in that rather popular modern measure which seems to waver betwixt the iambus and anapaest.

From Project Gutenberg

Again, I should say, anapaestic—but this anapaest and amphibrach quarrel is ἄσπονδος.

From Project Gutenberg