Definition

A type of poem that has six stanzas of six lines each, where the last words of the first stanza are repeated in different orders in the following stanzas and also appear in a final three-line section.

Example

The poet wrote a beautiful sestina that captured the essence of longing and nostalgia.

Conversation

Have you ever tried writing a sestina?

No, I haven’t! What’s it like?

It’s pretty challenging because of the specific structure.

That sounds interesting! I’d love to give it a shot.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

**Sestina** → The word 'sestina' originates from the Italian 'sestina', which is derived from 'sesto' (meaning sixth). It refers to a form of poetry consisting of six stanzas of six lines each, followed by a three-line envoi. The term reflects the structure of the poem, emphasizing the number six.

Memory Tip

Think of the word 'sestina' as relating to the number 'six' — it helps you remember that a sestina is a poem made up of six stanzas.

Visually Confused Words