anapaest

/ ˈænəpɛst, -piːst /

noun

prosody a metrical foot of three syllables, the first two short, the last long ( )

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C17: via Latin from Greek anapaistos reversed (that is, a dactyl reversed), from anapaiein, from ana- back + paiein to strike

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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He tends to favor the anapaest and the iambic tetrameter.

"I wish you would turn one of my father's favorite songs into anapaests for him," said Hardy.

And in this way he made that sort of anapaest which is called the Aristophanic anapaest.

When I am arrested, I shall protest in anapaests.

But they are dull; monotonous lamentation in monotonous anapaests is the height of their capacity.

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