ionic displacement

noun

: the occurrence in iambic meter of a pyrrhic foot followed or sometimes preceded by a spondaic foot that together create an ionic cadence (as in the third and fourth feet in Shakespeare's line “when to the sessions of sweet silent thought” óo|oó|oo|óó|oó)

Word History

Etymology

ionic entry 1

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

• More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
• Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
• Advanced search features
• Ad free!