a. and sb.; also 7 alch-. [ad. L. alcaic-us, a. Gr. ἀλκαικ-ός; f. Άλκαῖ-ος prop. name of a lyric poet of Mytilene about 600 B.C.]
A. adj. Of or pertaining to Alcæus, or pertaining to the kind of verse invented by him.
a. 1637. B. Jonson, To Himself (J.). Leave things so prostitute And take th’ Alcaick lute.
1753. Chambers, Cycl. Supp., s.v., The Alcaic Ode consists of four strophes, each of which contains four verses.
1878. N. Amer. Rev., CXXVII. 379. The Alcaic and Sapphic metres.
B. sb. in pl. Alcaic strophes.
1630. J. Taylor (Water P.), Wks., II. 161/1. If a Poet should examine thee Of Numbers, Figures, Trimeters, Alchaicks.
1793. Southey, Nondescr., i. Wks. III. 57. In sapphics sweetly incensed; glorified in proud alcaics.
1863. Kinglake, Crimea (1876), I. viii. 118. Smooth Eton Alcaics.
