amphibrach
- noun
- /æmˈfɪbræk/
- Literature
- 'Remember' is a word that illustrates the amphibrach foot in English.
Examples
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In the poem, each line begins with an amphibrach to create a gentle rhythm.
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Poets often choose the amphibrach to add variation to their metrical patterns.
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An amphibrach has a unique rhythm.
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The poet used an amphibrach in her verse.
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Each instance of the amphibrach in the poem highlights the skillful use of meter to enhance the lyrical quality.
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In English poetry, the amphibrach foot helps create a pleasing sound by alternating unstressed and stressed syllables.
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Many poets prefer the amphibrach for its ability to add musicality and flow to their verse.
Synonyms
1
8.2
A group of two or three syllables that makes the rhythm in poetry
1
8.1
A group of two or three syllables that makes the poem's basic rhythm
Surface Forms
Morphology
amphibrach = amphi + brach
Although analyzable into Greek combining forms 'amphi-' (both) + 'brach-' (short), this is a specialist prosody term and the components are not productive or obvious to an average learner, so the meaning cannot be reliably derived from the parts.
Etymology
The word amphibrach comes from Greek parts amphi- ('both') and brach ('short'), the same amphi- you find in amphibian. It literally means 'short on both sides', so think of a three-syllable beat with an unstressed, a stressed, and an unstressed syllable, which is exactly what an amphibrach is.