A metrical unit of poetry consisting of two short syllables followed by one long syllable, or in modern English, two unstressed syllables followed by one stressed syllable.
From Greek 'anapaistos' (beaten back, reversed), from 'ana-' (back) + 'paios' (beaten). Named for reversing the pattern of a paeon foot.
The anapest is the secret weapon of comic poets—its bouncy rhythm naturally produces humor and lightness, which is why it dominates children's literature and comic verse from Dr. Seuss to nursery rhymes!
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