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 /

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

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Etymology

Origin of antistrophe

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

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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

See Examples For:

antistrophe

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

When the first strophe had been sung below, and the sweet-voiced sisters caught up the antistrophe, Brother Friedsam, sitting in the midst, listened with painful attention, vainly trying to detect the sound of Tabea's voice.

From Duffels by Edward Eggleston

The other two sang the praises of bed in fervent antistrophe till at last Bill rose with a groan and assumed his overcoat, badge and truncheon.

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 150, January 12, 1916 by Sir Owen Seaman

The Greek ode was commonly divided into the strophe, the antistrophe, and the epode; the strophe and antistrophe being identical in structure, though varying in different odes, and the epode being of different structure.

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

Or we shall have a lyrical scene, strophe exactly balanced against antistrophe, more beautiful but slower still in its movement, and often at first hearing a little difficult to follow.

From Euripedes and His Age by Gilbert Murray

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