anacrusis
Definition
- Noun:
- In prosody: "anacrusis" refers to one or more unstressed syllables at the beginning of a line of verse, before the first regular metrical foot.
- In music: "anacrusis" denotes one or more unstressed notes at the beginning of a musical phrase, preceding the first strong beat (also called a pickup or upbeat).
Usage Examples
- In poetry:
- The line "A little learning is a dangerous thing" begins with an anacrusis, as the word "A" is an unstressed syllable before the first foot. (The unstressed syllable "A" precedes the metrical pattern.)
- In music:
- The song's melody starts with an anacrusis, with two quick notes leading into the first strong beat of the measure. (The introductory notes are unstressed and lead to the downbeat.)
Advanced Usage
- "anacrusis in classical poetry": a standard feature in Greek and Latin verse, where it allows flexibility in the opening of a line.
- Homer frequently uses an anacrusis to vary the rhythm of his epic hexameters. (Unstressed syllables at the line's beginning create rhythmic variation.)
- "anacrusis in musical phrasing": a common device in Baroque and Classical music to create forward momentum.
- The anacrusis in Beethoven's Fifth Symphony famously consists of three short notes before the long note. (The three quick notes are unstressed and lead to the accented note.)
Variants and Related Words
- Anacrustic (adj): relating to or containing an anacrusis.
- The poem's anacrustic opening gave it a lively, lilting rhythm. (The line begins with unstressed syllables.)
- Anacrusis (plural: anacruses): the same word used in both poetic and musical contexts.
Synonyms
- Pickup (music): a note or series of notes that precedes the first downbeat.
- Upbeat (music): the last beat of a measure, often unstressed, leading to the next downbeat.
- Preliminary syllable (poetry): an unstressed syllable before the first foot.
Related Idioms
- "start with an anacrusis": to begin something with a preliminary, unstressed element.
- Her speech started with an anacrusis—a few polite remarks before the main argument. (The introductory remarks were like unstressed syllables before the main point.)