anapest

an·a·pest

noun \ˈa-nə-ˌpest\

Definition of ANAPEST

: a metrical foot consisting of two short syllables followed by one long syllable or of two unstressed syllables followed by one stressed syllable (as unaware)

— an·a·pes·tic \ˌa-nə-ˈpes-tik\ adjective or noun

Origin of ANAPEST

Latin anapaestus, from Greek anapaistos, literally, struck back (a dactyl reversed), from ana- + -paistos, verbal of paiein to strike

First Known Use: circa 1678

Rhymes with ANAPEST

acid test, almagest, beta test, blanket chest, Bucharest, decongest, disinfest, disinterest, disinvest, false arrest, galley-west, Hammerfest, hornet's nest, house arrest, manifest, north-northwest, palimpsest, placement test, predigest, quarter rest, reinvest, rinderpest, Rorschach test, Sackville-West, second-best, self-addressed, self-confessed, self-interest, self-possessed, uninterest, unprofessed, vision quest