antistrophe

[ an-tis-truh-fee ]

noun

1. the part of an ancient Greek choral ode answering a previous strophe, sung by the chorus when returning from left to right.
2. the movement performed by the chorus while singing an antistrophe.
3. Prosody. the second of two metrically corresponding systems in a poem. Compare strophe ( def 3 ).

antistrophe

/ ænˈtɪstrəfɪ; ˌæntɪˈstrɒfɪk /

noun

1. in ancient Greek drama
   1. the second of two movements made by a chorus during the performance of a choral ode
   2. the second part of a choral ode sung during this movement
2. (in classical prosody) the second of two metrical systems used alternately within a poem

Derived Forms

• ˌantiˈstrophically, adverb
• antistrophic, adjective

Other Words From

• an·ti·stroph·ic [an-t, uh, -, strof, -ik, -, stroh, -fik], an·tistro·phal adjective
• anti·strophi·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of antistrophe¹

1540–50; < Greek: a turning about. See anti-, strophe

Word History and Origins

Origin of antistrophe¹

C17: via Late Latin from Greek antistrophē an answering turn, from anti- + strophē a turning

Example Sentences

The deceased was the tragic hero, the survivors the innocent victims; there was the omnipresence of the deity, strophe and antistrophe of the chorus of mourners led by the preacher.

From Literature

Strophe, strōf′e, n. in the ancient drama, the song sung by the chorus while dancing towards one side of the orchestra, to which its reverse, the antistrophe, answers.—adj.

From Project Gutenberg

They are genuinely Pindaric, that is, with corresponding strophes, antistrophes and epodes.

From Project Gutenberg

May and Margaret sang alternately the beautiful old ballad of which they say Sir Walter Raleigh wrote the antistrophe—the reply to the Passionate Shepherd’s desire, “Come live with me, and be my love!”

From Project Gutenberg

As the night waned, the moon emerged from ragged clouds, and gradually the lake quieted to its wonted crooning monologue, broken only by the strophe and antistrophe of startled water-fowl scattered by the storm.

From Project Gutenberg