Pros. [ad. Gr. τετραποδία, f. τετραποδ-: see prec.] A group of four metrical feet; a verse of four feet. So Tetrapodic a., consisting of four metrical feet.
1846. Worcester, Tetrapody.
1889. Amer. Jrnl. Philol., July, 225. The Bactrians and Indians … appear to have found the tetrapody short enough. Ibid. It seems more natural to assume the tetrapody as the primitive march-verse, and the tripody as an intentionally differentiated form for purposes of recitation.
1891. Harper’s Mag., March, 570/2. Most folk-songs are constructed upon tetrapodic periods. Ibid. [see DIPODY].
1895. Gildersleeve, Lat. Gram. (ed. 3), 458. Dipody … Tripody … Tetrapody.
