Definition

A sudden attack or stroke, often used in a medical context, or a term referring to the stress in poetry or rhythm.

Example

The patient suffered an ictus that required immediate medical attention.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of the term ictus in poetry?

Yeah, it's about the rhythm, right?

Exactly! It refers to the stress pattern in a line.

That's interesting; I never thought about how important that is!

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Ictus is derived from Latin 'ictus' (meaning a blow or stroke). The term originally referred to a striking or hitting, often used in contexts such as music to denote a strong beat or accent.

Memory Tip

Think of 'ictus' as a 'strike' or 'blow' in music, helping you remember that it refers to a strong accent or beat.

Visually Confused Words