1 anapest | Definition of anapest

anapest

noun
an·​a·​pest | \ ˈa-nÉ™-ËŒpest How to pronounce anapest (audio) \

Definition of anapest

: a metrical foot consisting of two short syllables followed by one long syllable or of two unstressed syllables followed by one stressed syllable (such as unaware)

Other Words from anapest

anapestic \ ËŒa-​nÉ™-​ˈpes-​tik How to pronounce anapestic (audio) \ adjective or noun

First Known Use of anapest

circa 1678, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for anapest

Latin anapaestus, from Greek anapaistos, literally, struck back (a dactyl reversed), from ana- + -paistos, verbal of paiein to strike

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More from Merriam-Webster on anapest

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with anapest

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about anapest