strophe

American  

[stroh-fee] / ˈstroʊ fi /

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 British  

/ ˈstrəʊfɪ /

noun

1. 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

---

Related Words

See verse.

Etymology

Origin of strophe

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

Example Sentences

This is the center of the middle strophe of these three songs, the creation of a third person by a couple.

From New York Times

In his word-drunk universe, “news” hooks up with “chartreuse,” “strophes” wins “trophies” and “rival” gets “adjectival.”

From New York Times

He treats the work as a study in shifting colors, emphasizing the contrasting textures of each strophe, from harplike passages to rich orchestral sonorities.

From Washington Post

The deceased was the tragic hero, the survivors the innocent victims; there was the omnipresence of the deity, strophe and antistrophe of the chorus of mourners led by the preacher.

From Literature

"It consists of short, varied strophes that are delivered at a fairly slow pace, with pauses of a few seconds between each strophe. Many strophes are rather simple and consist of a few whistled notes."

From BBC

Related Words

• verse