antistrophe

American  

[an-tis-truh-fee] / ænˈtɪs trə fi /

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.

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antistrophe British  

/ ænˈtɪstrəfɪ, ˌæntɪˈstrɒfɪk /

noun

1. 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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• antistrophically
  adverb
• antistrophic
  adjective
• antistrophal
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of antistrophe

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

Explanation

An antistrophe is the second part of a classical Greek ode, during which the chorus sings as it reverses its direction across the stage. In ancient Greece, the choral poetic form called an ode had three sections, beginning with the strophe and ending with the epode. In between was the antistrophe. The word in Greek is antistrophē, literally defined as "a turning back" and commonly used to mean "the return of the chorus." After this poem-singing group moved from right to left (or east to west) across the stage during the strophe, they reversed, moving left to right as they performed the antistrophe.

Example Sentences

The Antistrophe, or Counter-turn Call, noble Lucius, then for wine, And let thy looks with gladness shine; Accept this garland, plant it on thy head, And think, nay know, thy Morison's not dead.

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

The Greekes call this figure Antistrophe, the Latines, conuersio, I following the originall call him the counterturne, because he turnes counter in the middest of euery meetre.

From The Arte of English Poesie by Puttenham, George

Antistrophe But of her We can say that she is fair.

From Hymen by H. D. (Hilda Doolittle)

Then the Antistrophe asks what had become of the former copy of the same, on its way to the sources of the Thames and the great seat of learning there established.

From The Life of John Milton Volume 3 1643-1649 by Masson, David

To return—The Antistrophe that follows is not inferior in grandeur or original: but is I think not faultless—e: g: How is Memory alone, when all the etherial multitude are there?

From The Works of Charles and Mary Lamb — Volume 5 The Letters of Charles and Mary Lamb, 1796-1820 by Lucas, E. V. (Edward Verrall)