from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Epitrite \Ep"i*trite\, n. [Gr. ? containing an integer and one
third (i. e., [frac43], or in the ratio of 4 to 3); 'epi`
upon, over + ? the third: cf. L. epitritos, F. ['e]pitrite.]
(Gr. & Lat. Pros.)
A foot consisting of three long syllables and one short
syllable.
[1913 Webster]
Note: 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.
[1913 Webster]