antistrophe

noun

an·​tis·​tro·​phe an-ˈti-strə-(ˌ)fē How to pronounce antistrophe (audio)
1
a
: the repetition of words in reversed order
b
: the repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses
2
a
: a returning movement in Greek choral dance exactly answering to a previous strophe
b
: the part of a choral song delivered during the antistrophe
antistrophic adjective
antistrophically adverb

Word History

Etymology

Late Latin, from Greek antistrophē, from anti- + strophē strophe

First Known Use

circa 1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of antistrophe was circa 1550

Dictionary Entries Near antistrophe

Cite this Entry

“Antistrophe.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/antistrophe. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on antistrophe

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!