Iambic

a. [Gr. ἰαμβικός, Lat. iambicus, Fr. iambique. See infra.]

1. Consisting of a short syllable followed by a long one; as, an iambic foot.
2. Pertaining to, or composed of, iambics; as, an iambic verse.

[See IAMBUS.] 1. (Pros.) A foot consisting of two syllables, the first short and the second long, as in āmāns, or the first unaccented and the second accented, as in iucent. The following couplet consists wholly of iambic feet. Thy ge- | nius calls | thee not | to pur- | chase fame In keen | iam- | bics, or | mild an- | agram. Dryden.

2. A verse composed of short and long, or of accented and unaccented, syllables alternately.
3. (pl.) Certain ancient songs or satires, supposed to have given birth to ancient comedy.
4. Hence, a satirical poem, as such poems were often written in iambic verse; a satire. “Stings with iambics Bupalus his foe.” Fawkes.