trochaic

[ troh-key-ik ]

adjective

1. pertaining to the trochee.
2. consisting of or employing a trochee or trochees.

noun

1. a trochee.
2. Usually trochaics. a verse or poem written in trochees.

trochaic

/ trəʊˈkeɪɪk /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or consisting of trochees

noun

1. another word for trochee
2. a verse composed of trochees

Derived Forms

• troˈchaically, adverb

Other Words From

• tro·chai·cal·ly adverb
• untro·chaic adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of trochaic¹

1580–90; < Latin trochaicus < Greek trochaïkós, equivalent to trocha ( îos ) trochee + -ikos -ic

Example Sentences

In the same way, one decides that “The Song of Hiawatha” is written in trochaic tetrameter.

From Project Gutenberg

In this stanza the prevailing foot is iambic, but the first foot is trochaic.

From Project Gutenberg

This may occur when the accent is on the first syllable of a foot; that is, when the foot is trochaic or dactylic.

From Project Gutenberg

In both, the trochaic foot and the very short line indicate abrupt outpouring of feeling.

From Project Gutenberg

They are all in rhyming Latin, and chiefly, though with exceptions, in the loose trochaic metre called Leonine.

From Project Gutenberg