adj. and sb. Pros. Also 9 epitrit. [ad. L. epitritos, a. Gr. ἐπίτριτος amounting to one third more than the unit, f. ἐπί in addition -τρίτος the third.]
† A. adj. In the ratio of 4 to 3; spec. in ancient music: see quot.
1609. Douland, Ornith. Microl., 65. The sesquitertia Proportion, which they call Epitrite … Musically, when 4 Notes are sounded against 3, which are like themselues.
B. sb. Prosody. A foot consisting of three long syllables and one short one, and called first, second, third and fourth epitrite, according as the short syllable stands first, second, third or fourth, respectively.
1678–1708. in Phillips.
1749. Power Pros. Numbers, 31. The first Epitrite … a Close which Tully much delights in.
1819. H. Busk, Vestriad, II. 183. Thro’ the trite epitrite, when billows roar, Reader and sailor feel themselves ashore.
1821. Blackw. Mag., X. 388/1. The third foot of the major ionic tetrameter, we are told,… may be a second epitrit, which is merely impossible.
1879. Farrar, St. Paul, I. 167. The solemn rhythmical epitrite.
