anapestic

1 of 2

adjective

an·​a·​pes·​tic
variants or anapaestic
¦a-nə-¦pe-stik How to pronounce anapestic (audio)
especially British -¦pē-
: relating to or consisting of anapests
anapestically
¦a-nə-¦pe-sti-k(ə-)lē
especially British -¦pē-
adverb

anapestic

2 of 2

noun

an·​a·​pes·​tic
variants or anapaestic
¦a-nə-¦pe-stik How to pronounce anapestic (audio)
especially British -¦pē-
plural -s
: an anapestic foot or line

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Late Latin anapaesticus, from Greek anapaistikos, from anapaistos + -ikos -ic

First Known Use

Adjective

1699, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1699, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of anapestic was in 1699

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Cite this Entry

“Anapestic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/anapestic. Accessed 13 Dec. 2025.

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