Ep"i*trite (?), n. [Gr. containing an integer and one third (i. e., , or in the ratio of 4 to 3); upon, over + the third: cf. L. epitritos, F. 'epitrite.] Gr. & Lat. Pros.
A foot consisting of three long syllables and one short syllable.
⇒ It is so called from being compounded of a spondee (which contains 4 times) with an iambus or a trochee (which contains 3 times). It is called 1st, 2d, 3d, or 4th epitrite according as the short syllable stands 1st, 2d, etc.
© Webster 1913.