cretic

/ ˈkriːtɪk /

noun

1. prosody a metrical foot consisting of three syllables, the first long, the second short, and the third long ( ) Also calledamphimacer Compare amphibrach

Word History and Origins

Origin of cretic¹

C16: from Latin crēticus consisting of the amphimacer, literally: Cretan, from Greek krētikos, from Krētē Crete

Example Sentences

They were sung to a musical accompaniment, and were composed chiefly in bacchiac, anapaestic, or cretic metres, rapidly interchanging with trochaic lines.

From Project Gutenberg

On the other hand, cretic and trochaic metres, from their affinity to the old Saturnian, came most easily to the early dramatists, and are largely employed by Plautus to express lively emotion.

From Project Gutenberg

The Cretic docks this afternoon and the Tasmania ought to get in to-morrow.

From Project Gutenberg

Don't let a soul off the Cretic until I've had a look at her passenger list.

From Project Gutenberg

But, as I said before, the introduction of this kind of music into this modest kind of entertainment is transferred to this place from the Cretic dance, of which he says in the eighteenth book of the Iliad, about the Making of the Arms— A figured dance succeeds; such once was seen In lofty Cnossus, for the Cretan queen Form'd by Dædalean art; a comely band Of youths and maidens bounding hand-in-hand; The maids in soft cymars of linen dress'd, The youths all graceful in the glossy vest.

From Project Gutenberg