Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Arsis
‖
Ar′sis
(är′sĭs)
, Noun.
[L.
arsis
, Gr. ἄρσισ
a raising or lifting, an elevation of the voice, fr. αἴρειν
to raise or lift up. Its ordinary use is the result of am early misapprehension; originally and properly it denotes the lifting
of the hand in beating time, and hence the unaccented part of the rhythm.] 1.
(Pros.)
(a)
That part of a foot where the ictus is put, or which is distinguished from the rest (known as the thesis) of the foot by a greater stress of voice.
Hermann.
(b)
That elevation of voice now called
metrical accentuation
, or the rhythmic accent. ☞ It is uncertain whether the arsis originally consisted in a higher musical tone, greater volume, or longer duration of sound, or in all combined.
2.
(Mus.)
The elevation of the hand, or that part of the bar at which it is raised, in beating time; the weak or unaccented part of the bar; – opposed to
thesis
. Moore.
Definition 2024
Arsis
arsis
arsis
English
Noun
arsis (plural arses)
- The stronger part of a musical measure or a metrical foot.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Hermann to this entry?)
- (music) The elevation of the hand, or that part of the bar at which it is raised, in beating time; the weak or unaccented part of the bar, opposed to the thesis.
- (Can we find and add a quotation of Moore to this entry?)
Translations
Latin
Participle
ārsīs
- dative masculine plural of ārsus
- dative feminine plural of ārsus
- dative neuter plural of ārsus
- ablative masculine plural of ārsus
- ablative neuter plural of ārsus
- ablative feminine plural of ārsus
References
- arsis in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
- ARSIS in Charles du Fresne du Cange’s Glossarium Mediæ et Infimæ Latinitatis (augmented edition, 1883–1887)