strophe

[ stroh-fee ]

noun

1. the part of an ancient Greek choral ode sung by the chorus when moving from right to left.
2. the movement performed by the chorus during the singing of this part.
3. the first of the three series of lines forming the divisions of each section of a Pindaric ode.
4. (in modern poetry) any separate section or extended movement in a poem, distinguished from a stanza in that it does not follow a regularly repeated pattern.

strophe

/ ˈstrəʊfɪ /

noun

1. in ancient Greek drama
   1. the first of two movements made by a chorus during the performance of a choral ode
   2. the first part of a choral ode sung during this movement
2. (in classical verse) the first division of the threefold structure of a Pindaric ode
3. the first of two metrical systems used alternately within a poem

Word History and Origins

Origin of strophe¹

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Greek strophḗ “a twist, turning about,” akin to stréphein “to turn”; strepto-

Word History and Origins

Origin of strophe¹

C17: from Greek: a verse, literally: a turning, from strephein to twist

Synonym Study

See verse.

Example Sentences

The poems of the Isclo d'Or offer over eighty varieties of strophe, a most remarkable number.

From Project Gutenberg

The two told their story in alternate sentences like the Strophe and Antistrophe of a Greek chorus.

From Project Gutenberg

What in this strophe is said of Ullr has apparently reference to a lost myth.

From Project Gutenberg

My version of this strophe is not in accordance with those of other interpreters.

From Project Gutenberg

This is the best interpretation I can offer of this obscure strophe.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• verse