anacrusis
/ˌænəˈkrusɪs/
noun
- One or more unstressed syllables at the beginning of a line of poetry before the regular rhythm starts.
- The poet used an anacrusis to create a smoother flow into the first stressed beat.
- Students learned to identify anacrusis by looking for extra unstressed syllables at the line's beginning.
- In the poem, the word 'The' at the start is an anacrusis.
- In music, one or more notes that come before the first strong beat of a phrase.
- Many folk songs use an anacrusis to lead into the first downbeat.
- The conductor signaled the anacrusis to start the piece softly.
- The song begins with an anacrusis of three quick notes before the main melody.
Antonyms