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

• antistrophal adjective
• antistrophic adjective
• antistrophically adverb

Etymology

Origin of antistrophe

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

Example Sentences

The deceased was the tragic hero, the survivors the innocent victims; there was the omnipresence of the deity, strophe and antistrophe of the chorus of mourners led by the preacher.

From "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison

The metrical scheme of this sonnet is simple: a strophe balanced by an antistrophe.

From Select Masterpieces of Biblical Literature by Moulton, Richard Green

Behold, O King from the dark House of the grave, what we do! antistrophe.

From Poetical Works of Matthew Arnold by Arnold, Matthew

Strophe, strōf′e, n. in the ancient drama, the song sung by the chorus while dancing towards one side of the orchestra, to which its reverse, the antistrophe, answers.—adj.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

Mr. Peaslee's reflections rose in a strophe of hope and fell in an antistrophe of despair.

From The Calico Cat by Thompson, Charles Miner