amphibrach etymology

Etymology

The word "amphibrach" is derived from the Greek words:

  • ἀμφί (amphi): "on both sides"
  • βραχύς (brachys): "short"

Meaning and Origin

An amphibrach is a metrical foot in poetry consisting of a short syllable followed by a long syllable, then another short syllable:

˘ - ¯ - ˘

The term "amphibrach" comes from the fact that it has a short syllable on either side of a long syllable.

Amphibrachs have been used in poetry since ancient times. They are found in many languages, including English, Greek, and Latin. In English poetry, amphibrachs are often used to create a flowing, rhythmic effect. They can also be used to create a sense of movement or energy.

Examples of Amphibrachs

Here are some examples of amphibrachs from English poetry:

  • Longfellow's "The Tide Rises, the Tide Falls":

The tide rises, the tide falls, The moon shines on, the wind calls.

  • Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner":

Water, water, everywhere, And all the boards did shrink and swell.

  • Dickinson's "Because I Could Not Stop for Death":

Because I could not stop for Death, He kindly stopped for me.

amphibrach relate terms

  • amphi

    Etymology Greek ἀμφί amphi Meaning On both sides About around Origin T

  • abbreviate

    Abbreviation Etymology Meaning Origin abbr

  • abbreviation

    Etymology of Abbreviation Derived from Latin ab meaning off from brevis mea

  • abridge

    Etymology Late Middle English from Old French abregier from Vulgar Latin abbreviare

  • amphibrach

    Etymology The word amphibrach is derived from the Greek words ἀμφί amphi on

  • brace

    Etymology The word brace has several etymological roots Middle English brace de

  • bracelet

    Etymology The word bracelet derives from the Old French term bracel meaning armlet

  • brachio

    Etymology Latin bracchium arm Meaning A large muscular arm or limb in animal

  • brachiopod

    Etymology Brachiopod Derived from Greek brachion arm and pous foot Meaning a

  • brachiosaurus

    Etymology The name brachiosaurus comes from Greek and means arm lizard It was given

  • brachy

    Etymology Greek βραχύς brakhús meaning short Meaning Short or concis

  • brassiere

    Etymology The word brassiere is derived from the French word brasser meaning to fa

  • breviary

    Etymology Latin breviarium from brevis brief arium suffix indicating a collect

  • brevity

    Etymology Latin brevis meaning short or brief Old French bref Middle English

  • brief

    Etymology Origin Old English heafod Meaning Head Meaning The upper part of the

  • brumal

    Etymology Latin brūmālis of winter Proto Indo European gʰrem o to be c

  • brume

    Etymology French brume Latin brūma brūmae winter solstice Meaning A thick

  • embrace

    Etymology Embrace Old French embracier from Late Latin imbracchiare from Latin im in

  • merry

    Etymology Middle English mery from Old English myrige of unknown origin Meaning

  • mirth

    Etymology The word mirth comes from the Old English word myrhþ which means joy g

  • pretzel

    Etymology The word pretzel derives from the German word Brezel which is a diminutive

  • vambrace

    Etymology From the Old French word avant bras meaning forearm The term was origin

  • foot

    Etymology The word foot derives from the Old English word fot which is of Germanic o

  • dedication

    Etymology The word dedication comes from the Latin word dedicatio which means a set

  • clobber

    Etymology The word clobber has been traced back to the 16th century with several possi

  • tantalize

    Etymology Middle English tantelize tantalyze Late Latin tantalizare Greek Tantalizein

  • stoke

    Etymology The word stoke has its origins in two Old English words stocian verb

  • patsy

    Etymology Middle English Patsye Pet form of Patricia Latin for nobleman s daughter

  • draconian

    Etymology Draconian comes from the Latin word dracō meaning dragon or serpent

  • conversion

    Etymology Latin conversio Proto Indo European kʷert to turn twist Meaning

  • fiend

    Etymology The word fiend is ultimately derived from the Proto Germanic root fainijaz

  • condescend

    Etymology The word condescend comes from the Latin word condescendere which means t