Epitrite

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Epitrite \Ep"i*trite\, n. [Gr. ? containing an integer and one
     third (i. e., [frac43], or in the ratio of 4 to 3); 'epi`
     upon, over + ? the third: cf. L. epitritos, F. ['e]pitrite.]
     (Gr. & Lat. Pros.)
     A foot consisting of three long syllables and one short
     syllable.


     [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: It is so called from being compounded of a spondee
           (which contains 4 times) with an iambus or a trochee
           (which contains 3 times). It is called 1st, 2d, 3d, or
           4th epitrite according as the short syllable stands
           1st, 2d, etc.
           [1913 Webster]