noun
- plural of anapest: metrical feet in poetry consisting of two unstressed syllables followed by one stressed syllable
Usage: literary; prosody
Examples
- The poem was written entirely in anapests, creating a galloping rhythm.
- Students learned to identify anapests by clapping out the unstressed-unstressed-stressed pattern.
- Many limericks contain anapests in their meter.
- The poet used anapests to give the verse a bouncing, energetic feel.
- Anapests are common in children’s poetry because of their musical quality.