monostich

American  

[mon-uh-stik] / ˈmɒn əˌstɪk /

noun

1. a poem or epigram consisting of a single metrical line.

2. a single line of poetry.

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monostich British  

/ ˈmɒnəˌstɪk /

noun

1. a poem of a single line

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Other Word Forms

• monostichic adjective

Etymology

Origin of monostich

1570–80; < Late Latin monostichum < Greek monóstichon, noun use of neuter of monóstichos consisting of one line of verse. See mono-, stich ¹

Example Sentences

A minor poet called Admetus told him he had inserted a clause in his will for the inscribing on his tomb of a monostich, which I will give: Admetus' husk earth holds, and Heaven himself.

From Works of Lucian of Samosata — Volume 03 by Fowler, F. G. (Francis George)