arsis

[ ahr-sis ]

noun

, plural ar·ses [ahr, -seez].

1. Music. the upward stroke in conducting; upbeat. Compare thesis ( def 4 ).
2. Prosody.
   1. the part of a metrical foot that bears the ictus or stress.
   2. (less commonly) a part of a metrical foot that does not bear the ictus. Compare thesis ( def 5 ).

arsis

/ ˈɑːsɪs /

noun

1. See thesis
   (in classical prosody) the long syllable or part on which the ictus falls in a metrical foot Compare thesis

Word History and Origins

Origin of arsis¹

1350–1400; Middle English: raising the voice < Latin < Greek, equivalent to ar- (stem of aírein to raise, lift) + -sis -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of arsis¹

C18: via Late Latin from Greek, from airein to raise

Example Sentences

Of the whole number, nine begin on the full bar, eleven on the arsis.

From Project Gutenberg

They exhibited a more or less regular alternation of arsis and thesis.

From Project Gutenberg

When however it does occur, one of the three conditions under which a final syllable can take an arsis must accompany it.

From Project Gutenberg

The syllable which receives the ictus is called the thesis; the rest of the foot is called the arsis.

From Project Gutenberg

At last, Carbo sent a large body of cavalry against Pompey, near the river Arsis.

From Project Gutenberg