Pyrrhic

(pĭr'rĭk), n. [Lat. pyrrhichius (sc. pes), Gr. πυρρίχιος (sc. ποῦς), Fr. pyrrhique. See infra.]

1. (Pros.) A foot consisting of two short syllables.
2. An ancient military dance, to the accompaniment of the flute, its time being very quick and light.

a. [Lat. pyrrhichius, Gr. πυρρίχιος, belonging to the πυρρίχη (sc. ὄρχησις), a kind of war-dance, so called from Πύρριχος, the inventor, from πυρρός, red.]

1. (Pros.) Pertaining to, or containing, pyrrhics; as, a pyrrhic verse.
2. Of, or pertaining to, an ancient military dance, said to have been invented by Pyrrhichus.

Ye have the pyrrhic dance as yet. — Byron.