Alexandrine
/ˌælɪɡˈzændrɪn/noun
A twelve-syllable poetic line, especially one traditionally used in French verse, or something relating to Alexandria or Alexander.
Did you know?The poetic sense comes through medieval French verse connected with romances about Alexander the Great, giving the line a distinctly heroic literary aura.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₂lek-
“To ward off, protect, or defend”
Ancient Greek
Greek
aléxō
“I defend or keep at bay”
Ancient Greek
Greek
Aléxandros
“Defender of men; a compound of aléxō and anḗr, “man””
Late Latin
Latin
Alexandrinus
“Of Alexander or Alexandria”
12th Century
Old French
alexandrin
“A verse associated with romances about Alexander”
16th Century
English
alexandrine
“A twelve-syllable poetic line”
Modern English
English
Alexandrine
“A twelve-syllable verse line, or something relating to Alexandria or Alexander”
Explore more surprising origins