▪ I. distich, n.
(ˈdɪstɪk)
Forms: 6–7 (distichon), disticke, 6–8 distick, 7 distique, dystick, 7–9 distic, 6– distich. Pl. distichs (ˈdɪstɪks) (also 7–8 distiches).
[ad. L. distichon, a. Gr. δίστιχον distich, couplet (neut. of δίστιχος adj.: see next), f. δι- (di-2) + στίχος row, line of verse. At first used in the Lat. form. The pl. distiches app. points to an obs. pronunciation (ˈdɪstɪtʃ).]
A couple of lines of verse, usually making complete sense, and (in modern poetry) riming; a couplet.
| 1553 Becon Reliques of Rome (1563) 117* There is a godly Distichon fathered on S. Hierome. 1566 Drant Horace To Rdr. 3 Accordinge to the tenour of this distichon. 1577–87 Holinshed Chron. III. 1206/2 Master Abraham Hartwell..glanceth in a distich or twaine at the effect hereof. 1610 Holland Camden's Brit. (1637) 284 A distichon engraven on her tombe. 1642 Milton Apol. Smect. (1851) 292 Neither had I ever read the hobbling distick which he means. 1647 Ward Simp. Cobler 45, I shall compose halfe a dozen distichs. 1711 Steele Spect. No. 43 ¶9 From among many other Distiches no less to be quoted on this Account, I cannot but recite the two following Lines. 1788 Burns Let. to W. Dunbar 7 Apr., I have scarcely made a single distich since I saw you. 1891 Driver Introd. Lit. O.T. (1892) 341 By far the greater number of verses in the poetry of the Old Testament consist of Distichs. |
▪ II. distich, a. rare.
(ˈdɪstɪk)
[ad. L. distich-us, a. Gr. δίστιχος of two rows, of two verses: see prec.]
Arranged in two rows; = distichous.
| 1788 J. Lee Introd. Bot. (ed. 4) 182 Distich, in two Rows, when the Branches are produced in a horizontal Situation. 1805–17 R. Jameson Char. Min. (ed. 3) 211 Distic, when in a similar prism..two rows of facets are arranged around each base. 1852 Th. Ross Humboldt's Trav. I. xv. 477 A fine gramineous plant with distich leaves. |