spondee

noun

spon·dee ˈspän-ˌdē

: a metrical foot consisting of two long or stressed syllables

spondaic

spän-ˈdā-ik

adjective or noun

Word History

Etymology

Middle English sponde, from Middle French or Latin; Middle French spondee, from Latin spondeum, from Greek spondeios, from spondeios of a libation, from spondē libation, from spendein to make a libation; from its use in music accompanying libations — more at spouse

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of spondee was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

Style

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

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Kids Definition

spondee

noun

spon·dee ˈspän-ˌdē

: a metrical foot consisting of two accented syllables (as in tom-tom)

spondaic

spän-ˈdā-ik

adjective

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spondee

noun

Word History

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Cite this Entry

Kids Definition