anacrusis

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. An unstressed syllable at the start of a verse.
  2. An unstressed note or notes before the first strong beat (or downbeat) of a phrase.

Pronunciation

/anəˈkɹuːsɪs/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-anacrusis.wav

Word forms

anacrusis anacruses

Etymology

Via New Latin from Ancient Greek ἀνάκρουσις (anákrousis, “pushing up”), from ἀνακρούω (anakroúō, “I push up”), from ἀνά (aná, “up”) + κρούω (kroúō, “I strike”).

Related words

crusis
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