alcaic

adjective

al·​ca·​ic al-ˈkā-ik How to pronounce alcaic (audio)
often capitalized
: relating to or written in a verse or strophe marked by complicated variation of a dominant iambic pattern
alcaic noun often capitalized

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin Alcaicus, borrowed from Greek Alkaïkós "of Alcaeus" (Greek poet of Lesbos, flourished ca. 600 b.c., credited with introducing such a verse form), from Alkaîos + -ikos -ic entry 1

First Known Use

1631, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alcaic was in 1631

Dictionary Entries Near alcaic

alcahest

alcaic

alcaide

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Alcaic.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alcaic. Accessed 28 Nov. 2024.

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