AMPHIBRACH Meaning and
Definition
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An amphibrach is a metrical foot in poetry consisting of three syllables, with the stress falling on the middle one. The structure of an amphibrach is therefore weak-strong-weak, with the strong syllable stressed or pronounced with emphasis. The weak syllables are usually short or unstressed, whereas the strong syllable is typically long or stressed.
The word "amphibrach" is derived from the Greek words "amphi," meaning "both" or "around," and "brachus," meaning "short." This describes the characteristic feature of this metrical foot, as it combines elements of both the iamb and the trochee. The iamb has a weak-strong structure, while the trochee follows a strong-weak pattern. In contrast, the amphibrach encompasses both the weak and strong elements in equal measure.
Amphibrachs are widely used in various forms of poetry, including sonnets, odes, and ballads. They contribute to the rhythm and musicality of a poem, providing a balanced and harmonious flow. The alternating pattern of weak and strong syllables creates a pleasant and melodic effect, and poets often utilize amphibrachs to evoke a specific mood or reinforce the meaning of their verses.
Overall, an amphibrach is a metrical foot in poetry that consists of three syllables, with the stress or emphasis placed on the middle one, resulting in a weak-strong-weak structure. It is a versatile and commonly employed pattern that adds rhythm, musicality, and artistic expression to poetic compositions.
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In poetry, a foot of three syllables-a short, a long, and a short, in Eng. poet., used as the last foot of a line.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for AMPHIBRACH
- zmphibrach
- smphibrach
- wmphibrach
- qmphibrach
- anphibrach
- akphibrach
- ajphibrach
- amohibrach
- amlhibrach
- am-hibrach
- am0hibrach
- ampgibrach
- ampbibrach
- ampnibrach
- ampjibrach
- ampuibrach
- ampyibrach
- amphubrach
- amphjbrach
- amphkbrach
Etymology of AMPHIBRACH
The word "amphibrach" has its origins in the Greek language. It is derived from the Greek words "amphi", meaning "both" or "on both sides", and "brachys", meaning "short".
In Greek prosody, an amphibrach is a metrical foot consisting of three syllables in which the first and third syllables are short, and the second is long. The term "amphibrach" was first coined by the Roman poet and critic, Horace, in his Ars Poetica (The Art of Poetry), thereby introducing it to Latin and subsequently to other languages.
Similar spelling words for AMPHIBRACH
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