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Meaning of choriambus in English:

choriambus

Pronunciation /ˌkɒrɪˈambəs/

nounplural noun choriambi/ˌkɒrɪˈambʌɪ/

(also choriamb)

  • A metrical foot consisting of two short (or unstressed) syllables between two long (or stressed) ones.

    ‘Each pàda may be divided into three feet, the second always consisting of a choriambus, and the third of two iambics; while the first foot in the first pàda consists of a pyrrhic, in the second pàda of an anap æ st.’
    • ‘In poetry, Choriambi are never used alone, but always combined with other metrical 'feet' such as spondees, trochees and dactyls.’
    • ‘Occasionally the term choriambus is used of English verses - a foot made up of two light syllables between two stressed ones.’

Origin

Late 18th century via late Latin from Greek khoriambos, from khoreios ‘of the dance’ + iambos (see iambus).