arsis

[ahr-sis]

noun

plural

arses 

1. Music.,  the upward stroke in conducting; upbeat.

2. Prosody.

   1. the part of a metrical foot that bears the ictus or stress.

   2. (less commonly) a part of a metrical foot that does not bear the ictus.

arsis

/ ˈɑːsɪs /

noun

1. (in classical prosody) the long syllable or part on which the ictus falls in a metrical foot Compare thesis

Word History and Origins

Origin of arsis¹

1350–1400; Middle English: raising the voice < Latin < Greek, equivalent to ar- (stem of aírein to raise, lift) + -sis -sis

Word History and Origins

Origin of arsis¹

C18: via Late Latin from Greek, from airein to raise