iambic

Meanings

1. 1
   adj

   composed of or characterized by iambs, metrical feet in which an unstressed syllable is followed by a stressed one

   The speech settles into an iambic rhythm that gives each line a steady forward movement.

2. 2
   noun

   a line, passage, or composition written in iambic meter

   The anthology closes with an iambic that mocks a boastful politician.

Through Late Latin iambicus from Ancient Greek iambikos, 'iambic,' from iambos, the name of an iamb or an iambic poem. The further origin of the Greek word is uncertain. The noun use developed from the adjective and can denote a line or composition in iambic meter.

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