trochaic

American  

[troh-key-ik] / troʊˈkeɪ ɪk /

adjective

1. pertaining to the trochee.

2. consisting of or employing a trochee or trochees.

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noun

1. a trochee.

2. Usually trochaics. a verse or poem written in trochees.

trochaic British  

/ trəʊˈkeɪɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or consisting of trochees

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noun

1. another word for trochee

2. a verse composed of trochees

Other Word Forms

• trochaically
  adverb
• untrochaic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of trochaic

1580–90; < Latin trochaicus < Greek trochaïkós, equivalent to trocha ( îos ) trochee + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

Trochaic tetrameters and thumping end rhymes roll off his tongue.

From Time Magazine Archive

If this is done there will be in common English verse only two possible feet—the so-called accentual Trochee and Dactyl, and correspondingly only two possible uniform rhythms, the so-called Trochaic and Dactylic.

From Poems of Gerard Manley Hopkins Now First Published by Bridges, Robert Seymour

The Trochaic tetrameter and the Cretic are also favourite rhythms; the former is well suited to the Latin language, its beat being much more easily distinguishable in a rapid dialogue than that of the Iambic.

From The History of Roman Literature From the earliest period to the death of Marcus Aurelius by Cruttwell, Charles Thomas

Trochaic verse, two-stress, 27 f.; three-stress, 33 f.; four-stress, 37 f.; five-stress, 41; six-stress, 43; seven-stress, 45, 259; eight-stress, 46 f.

From English Verse Specimens Illustrating its Principles and History by Alden, Raymond MacDonald

Trochaic metre is often read, as if it were a kind of crude iambic.

From Browning and the Dramatic Monologue by Curry, S. S. (Samuel Silas)