anapest

noun

an·​a·​pest ˈa-nə-ˌpest 

: 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)

anapestic

ˌa-nə-ˈpe-stik 

adjective or noun

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

anapest

noun

an·​a·​pest ˈan-ə-ˌpest 

: a metrical foot consisting of two unaccented syllables followed by one accented syllable (as in the accused)

anapestic

ˌan-ə-ˈpes-tik 

adjective