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

He tends to favor the anapaest and the iambic tetrameter.

From Project Gutenberg

"I wish you would turn one of my father's favorite songs into anapaests for him," said Hardy.

From Project Gutenberg

And in this way he made that sort of anapaest which is called the Aristophanic anapaest.

From Project Gutenberg

When I am arrested, I shall protest in anapaests.

From Project Gutenberg

But they are dull; monotonous lamentation in monotonous anapaests is the height of their capacity.

From Project Gutenberg