Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

Phalaecean

noun
Pha·​lae·​ce·​an | \¦falə¦sēən\
plural -s

Definition of Phalaecean 

: a hendecasyllabic verse in Greek and Latin prosody that is a glyconic with three additional syllables forming a single bacchius or an iambic dipody catalectic : a logaoedic verse of five feet the first of which is indeterminate, the second a dactyl, and the last three trochees

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

History and Etymology for Phalaecean

Greek phalaikeion phalaecean (from Phalaikos Phalaecus, Greek poet) + English -an

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about Phalaecean

Share Phalaecean

Statistics for Phalaecean

Look-up Popularity

Comments on Phalaecean

What made you want to look up Phalaecean? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

zibeline

a soft lustrous wool fabric with mohair

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Late Autumn 2018 Words of the Day Quiz

  • frosted-autumn-leaves
  • Which is a synonym of yahoo?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games