paeon

noun

pae·​on ˈpē-ən How to pronounce paeon (audio) -ˌän How to pronounce paeon (audio)
: a metrical foot of four syllables with one long and three short syllables (as in classical prosody) or with one stressed and three unstressed syllables (as in English prosody)

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from Greek paiōn, from paian, paiōn paean

First Known Use

1603, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of paeon was in 1603

Dictionary Entries Near paeon

Cite this Entry

“Paeon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/paeon. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

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