iambic
[ ahy-am-bik ]
/ aɪˈæm bɪk /
adjective
Prosody.
- pertaining to the iamb.
- consisting of or employing an iamb or iambs.
Greek Literature. noting or pertaining to satirical poetry written in iambs.
noun
Prosody.
- an iamb.
- Usually iambics. a verse or poem consisting of iambs.
Greek Literature. a satirical poem in this meter.
RELATED CONTENT
Related formsi·am·bi·cal·ly, adverbun·i·am·bic, adjective
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Examples from the Web for iambic
British Dictionary definitions for iambic
iambic
/ (aɪˈæmbɪk) prosody /
adjective
of, relating to, consisting of, or using an iamb or iambs
(in Greek literature) denoting a type of satirical verse written in iambs
noun
a metrical foot, line, or stanza of verse consisting of iambs
a type of ancient Greek satirical verse written in iambs
Derived Formsiambically, adverb
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for iambic
iambic
1570s (n.); 1580s (adj.), from Latin iambicus, from Greek iambikos, from iambos "metrical foot of one unaccented followed by one accented syllable," from iaptein "to assail" (in words), literally "to put forth." The meter of invective and lampoon in classical Greek from the time it was used for such by Archilochos, 7c. B.C.E.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper