In poetry, a metrical foot consisting of three syllables where the first and third syllables are stressed and the middle syllable is unstressed (like 'merrily').
From Greek amphibrachys meaning 'short at both ends' (amphi- 'both' + brachys 'short'). The term refers to a stressed-unstressed-stressed pattern that has unstressed qualities on both ends compared to other metrical feet.
If you say 'MER-ri-LY' in a bouncy way, you're speaking in amphibrachs—this meter has a fun, energetic rhythm that poets use for lighthearted or humorous poems!
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