hokku

American  

[haw-koo, hok-oo] / ˈhɔ ku, ˈhɒk u /

noun

Prosody.

plural

hokku

1. the opening verse of a linked verse series.

2. haiku.

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hokku British  

/ ˈhɒkuː /

noun

1. prosody another word for haiku

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Etymology

Origin of hokku

First recorded in 1895–1900; from Japanese, from hok “departure, start” (akin to Cantonese faat, Korean bal, Mandarin fā ) + ku “phrase, stanza” (akin to Cantonese geoi, Korean gu, Mandarin jù )

Example Sentences

It must always be understood that there is an implied continuation to every Japanese hokku.

From Japanese Prints by Lathrop, Dorothy Pulis

He reformed the hokku, by introducing into everything he wrote a deep spiritual significance underlying the words.

From Japanese Prints by Lathrop, Dorothy Pulis

That is not to say, that, by taking the letter for the spirit, we should in any way strive to imitate the hokku form.

From Japanese Prints by Lathrop, Dorothy Pulis

Here is a hokku by Basho, one of the most skilled composers in that form.

From A Study of Poetry by Perry, Bliss

Composing hokku might, however, have remained a mere game of elaborate literary conceits and double meanings, but for the genius of one man.

From Japanese Prints by Lathrop, Dorothy Pulis