iambus

[ ahy-am-buhs ]

noun

, plural i·am·bi [ahy-, am, -bahy], i·am·bus·es.

1. iamb.

Word History and Origins

Origin of iambus¹

1580–90; < Latin < Greek íambos

Example Sentences

In Browning’s “Prospice,” the iambus predominates, and expresses heroic endurance and courage in meeting death; but the first foot—“Fear death”—is a spondee, and indicates the deliberative realization of the situation.

From Project Gutenberg

Pherecratian, consisting of three feet, a trochee, spondee, or iambus in the first place, followed by a dactyl and spondee.

From Project Gutenberg

In a lonely hollow walk, overgrown with sting-nettles he scanned the deadly verses on his fingers, until the murderous iambus flowed evenly upon its four feet without a halting choliambus.

From Project Gutenberg

It does not have to consist of five iambuses only, but other feet may be substituted almost at the caprice of the poet.

From Project Gutenberg

Archilochus made use of the iambus and the trochee, and organized them into the two forms of metre known as the iambic trimeter and the trochaic tetrameter.

From Project Gutenberg