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Webster 1913 Edition


Antistrophe


An-tis′tro-phe

,
Noun.
[L., fr. Gr. [GREEK], fr. [GREEK] to turn to the opposite side;
ἀντί
against + [GREEK] to turn. See
Strophe
.]
1.
In Greek choruses and dances, the returning of the chorus, exactly answering to a previous strophe or movement from right to left. Hence: The lines of this part of the choral song.
It was customary, on some occasions, to dance round the altars whilst they sang the sacred hymns, which consisted of three stanzas or parts; the first of which, called strophe, was sung in turning from east to west; the other, named
antistrophe
, in returning from west to east; then they stood before the altar, and sang the epode, which was the last part of the song.
Abp. Potter.
2.
(Rhet.)
(a)
The repetition of words in an inverse order; as, the master of the servant and the servant of the master.
(b)
The retort or turning of an adversary’s plea against him.

Webster 1828 Edition


Antistrophe

ANTIS'TROPHE

,'TROPHY,
Noun.
[Gr. opposite, and a turning.
1.
In grammar, the changing of things mutually depending on each other; reciprocal conversion; as, the master of the servant, the servant of the master.
2.
Among the ancients, that part of a song or dance, before the altar, which was performed by turning from west to east, in opposition to the strophy. The ancient odes consisted of stanzas called strophies and antistrophies, to which was often added the epode. These were sung by a choir, which turned or changed places when they repeated the different parts of the ode. The epode was sung, as the chorus stood still. [See Ode.]

Definition 2024


antistrophe

antistrophe

English

Noun

antistrophe (plural antistrophes)

Examples (repetition of words in reverse order)

the master of the servant and the servant of the master.

  1. In Greek choruses and dances, the returning of the chorus, exactly answering to a previous strophe or movement from right to left. Hence: The lines of this part of the choral song.
  2. (rhetoric) The repetition of words in an inverse order.
  3. (rhetoric) The repetition of a word or phrase at the end of successive clauses
  4. The retort or turning of an adversary's plea against him.

Related terms

Translations

Anagrams


French

Noun

antistrophe f (plural antistrophes)

  1. antistrophe

Latin

Pronunciation

  • (Classical) IPA(key): /anˈtis.tro.pʰeː/, [anˈtɪs.trɔ.pʰeː]

Noun

antistrophē f (genitive antistrophēs); first declension

  1. antistrophe

Inflection

First declension, Greek type.

Case Singular Plural
nominative antistrophē antistrophae
genitive antistrophēs antistrophārum
dative antistrophae antistrophīs
accusative antistrophēn antistrophās
ablative antistrophē antistrophīs
vocative antistrophē antistrophae