adonic

1 of 2

adjective

adon·​ic

ə-ˈdä-nik

variants or less commonly adonian

ə-ˈdō-nē-ən

often capitalized

1

: of, relating to, or like Adonis

especially : exceptionally handsome

the youth's adonic features

2

: having a rhythm consisting of a dactyl followed by a spondee or by a trochee

adonic verse

adonic

2 of 2

noun

adon·​ic

ə-ˈdä-nik

plural -s

often capitalized

: a verse having adonic rhythm

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Adonis, mythological personage + English -ic or -ian

First Known Use

Adjective

1671, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1579, in the meaning defined above

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