Spondee
/ˈspɒn.diː/noun
A metrical foot consisting of two stressed syllables.
Did you know?The term comes from Greek spondē, a libation or drink-offering, because the rhythm was associated with solemn ritual pouring, not just poetry.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*spend-
“to make a ritual offering, perform a libation”
Ancient Greek
Greek
σπονδή (spondḗ)
“a libation poured out to the gods; a truce or solemn treaty sealed by sacrifice”
Latin
Latin
spondēus / spondeus
“a metrical foot of two long syllables, named after the solemn rhythm of ritual pouring”
Middle English
English
spondee
“a metrical foot of two stressed syllables”
Modern English
English
spondee
“a metrical foot consisting of two stressed syllables”
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