anacrusis: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Technical
Quick answer
What does “anacrusis” mean?
One or more unstressed syllables at the beginning of a line of verse, before the regular metrical pattern begins.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
One or more unstressed syllables at the beginning of a line of verse, before the regular metrical pattern begins.
In music, one or more unstressed notes before the first bar line; more broadly, any introductory or preparatory element.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. The term is equally technical in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral, scholarly.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in general language; used almost exclusively in academic or artistic discussions of poetry and music.
Grammar
How to Use “anacrusis” in a Sentence
The [poem/song] has an anacrusis of [number] syllables/notes.An anacrusis precedes the main [metre/beat].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “anacrusis” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The anacrustic opening gives the poem a lilting quality.
American English
- The anacrustic pickup is essential to the song's swing.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in literary criticism, poetry analysis, and musicology.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would likely require explanation.
Technical
Standard term in prosody and music theory for unstressed introductory elements.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “anacrusis”
- Mispronouncing it as 'ana-CRUS-is' (stress on second syllable). Correct stress is on the third syllable: 'ana-CRU-sis'.
- Using it to mean any introduction, losing its specific technical sense of being *unstressed* or *unaccented*.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialised term used almost exclusively in the technical analysis of poetry and music.
No, by definition, an anacrusis consists of one or more unstressed syllables or unaccented notes.
An anacrusis is an unstressed beginning before the metre starts. A caesura is a pause or break within a line of verse.
No, there is no standard verb form. The related adjective is 'anacrustic'.
One or more unstressed syllables at the beginning of a line of verse, before the regular metrical pattern begins.
Anacrusis is usually formal, technical in register.
Anacrusis: in British English it is pronounced /ˌanəˈkruːsɪs/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˌænəˈkrusɪs/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[None specific to this term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ANA' (before) + 'CRUSIS' (like 'crucial beat'). It's the part BEFORE the crucial, main beat begins.
Conceptual Metaphor
A RUN-UP TO THE STARTING LINE (the anacrusis is the preparatory motion before the official race of the metre begins).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'anacrusis' LEAST likely to be used?