Main Entry: iamb

Pronunciation: \ˈī-ˌam(b)\

Variant(s): or iam·bus \ī-ˈam-bəs\

Function: noun

Inflected Form(s): plural iambs \ˈī-ˌamz\ or iam·bus·es

Etymology: Latin iambus, from Greek iambos

Date: 1586

: a metrical foot consisting of one short syllable followed by one long syllable or of one unstressed syllable followed by one stressed syllable (as in above)

— iam·bic \ī-ˈam-bik\ adjective or noun