Definition

Noun: A metrical foot in poetry consisting of three syllables: the first is unstressed, the second is stressed, and the third is unstressed (˘ ′ ˘).

Usage

The amphibrach is a specific rhythmic pattern used in poetic meter. It is less common in English poetry than iambs or trochees but appears in certain verse forms and songs.

Examples

• The word "remember" (re-mem-ber) is a single amphibrach.
• The line "A mer-ry lit-tle soul was he" contains multiple amphibrachs.
• The phrase "the boat-man sing-ing" can be scanned as an amphibrach.

Advanced Usage

• Amphibrachic Meter: A line of verse composed primarily of amphibrachs. For example, "And moun-tains crush me to the ground."
• The amphibrach is the dominant foot in the poetic form known as the .

Variants and Related Words

• Amphibrachic (adjective): Relating to or consisting of amphibrachs. (e.g., "an amphibrachic rhythm").

Different Meanings

This term is specific to the field of prosody (the study of poetic meter) and has no other common meanings.

Synonyms

There is no direct single-word synonym for this specific metrical foot. It can be described as a "triple meter" or a "three-syllable foot" with an unstressed-stressed-unstressed pattern.

Idioms

Not applicable. This is a technical term from poetics.

Phrasal Verbs

Not applicable.

Noun

1. a metrical unit with unstressed-stressed-unstressed syllables (e.g., `remember')