The word “anapest” comes from the Latin anapaestus, which is derived from the Greek anápaistos, or “struck back”—a reference to how the anapest is a reversed dactyl. On that note, you'll sometimes hear anapest called “antidactylus.”

What is the meaning of anapest in poetry?

A metrical foot consisting of two unaccented syllables followed by an accented syllable. The words “underfoot” and “overcome” are anapestic. Lord Byron's “The Destruction of Sennacherib” is written in anapestic meter. Poetry Magazine.

What words are Anapests?

An anapest is a metrical foot that consists of two unstressed syllables followed by a stressed syllable. Words such as “understand” and “contradict” are examples of anapest, because both of them have three syllables where the accent is on the final syllable.