arsis: Meaning and Definition of

ar•sis

Pronunciation: (är'sis), [key]
— pl. -ses
  1. the upward stroke in conducting; upbeat. Cf. thesis (def. 4).
    1. the part of a metrical foot that bears the ictus or stress.
    2. (less commonly) a part of a metrical foot that does not bear the ictus. Cf. thesis (def. 5).
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.