distich
Americannoun
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a unit of two lines of verse, usually a self-contained statement; couplet.
-
a rhyming couplet.
noun
Other Word Forms
- distichal adjective
- subdistich noun
Etymology
Origin of distich
1545–55; < Latin distichon, noun use of neuter of Greek dístichos having two lines, equivalent to di- di- 1 + stíchos row
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Every one knows the distich of John Ball, which comprehends the essence of religious democracy: "When Adam delved and Eve span, Where was then the gentleman?"
From View of the State of Europe during the Middle Ages, Vol. 3 by Hallam, Henry
The seven sciences of the accomplished gentleman were those so well known, comprised in the scholastic distich.
From Amenities of Literature Consisting of Sketches and Characters of English Literature by Disraeli, Isaac
He is again mentioned by Meres for his distich on king James's Furies & Lepanto. fol.
From A History of English Poetry: an Unpublished Continuation by Warton, Thomas
Various have been the remedial means proposed in this terrific malady, and preservatives against it have been recorded in the following distich: Hæc tria labificum tollunt adverbia pestem; Mox, longè, tardè,—cede, recede, redi.
From Curiosities of Medical Experience by Millingen, J. G. (John Gideon)
I recall from one of these a distich of some merit.
From Reminiscences, 1819-1899 by Howe, Julia Ward
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
