amphibrach

noun

am·​phi·​brach ˈam(p)-fə-ˌbrak How to pronounce amphibrach (audio)
: a metrical foot consisting of a long syllable between two short syllables in quantitative verse or of a stressed syllable between two unstressed syllables in accentual verse
romantic is an accentual amphibrach
amphibrachic adjective

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin amphibrachys, borrowed from Greek amphíbrachys, from amphíbrachys, adjective, "short at both ends," from amphi- amphi- + brachýs "short" — more at brief entry 1

First Known Use

1765, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of amphibrach was in 1765

Dictionary Entries Near amphibrach

Cite this Entry

“Amphibrach.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/amphibrach. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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