epitrite

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CIDE DICTIONARY

epitrite, n. [Gr. containing an integer and one third (i. e., 'epi` upon, over + the third: cf. L. epitritos, F. épitrite.].

A foot consisting of three long syllables and one short syllable. [1913 Webster]

" It is so called from being compounded of a spondee (which contains 4 times) with an iambus or a trochee (which contains 3 times). It is called 1st, 2d, 3d, or 4th epitrite according as the short syllable stands 1st, 2d, etc." [1913 Webster]

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