ictus

Plural: ictus, ictuses, ictusses

Noun

• A metrical or rhythmic accent or beat, especially in poetry.
• a sudden occurrence (or recurrence) of a disease
• The pulse.
• A sudden attack, blow, stroke, or seizure, as in a sunstroke, the sting of an insect, pulsation of an artery, etc.
• The stress of voice laid upon an accented syllable of a word. Compare arsis.
• In conducting, the indication of a musical event, most often the beat of the tempo or the entry of a section of the orchestra.

Examples

• Her turn had an ictus, a strong, decisive play that changed the game’s rhythm.

Synonyms

raptus, seizure

Related Words

ICTIC