"unstressed syllable at the beginning of a verse," 1833, Latinized from Greek anakrousis "a pushing back," of a ship, "backing water," from anakrouein "to push back, [..]

The addition of an extra unstressed syllable or two at the start of a line of verse--but these additions are not considered part of the regular metrical count. Deutsch points out an example of anacrus [..]

The insertion of one or more unstressed syllables at the beginning of a line where the poetical metre would normally demand a stressed syllable.

Pronunciation ˌænəˈkruːsɪs A defective foot, one without a leading stressed syllable. In the sentence There are too many people here it is likely that the first rhythmic stress will occur on the sylla [..]

Starting a phrase with an upbeat note, therefore, making the first note an unaccented one.

one or more unstressed syllables at the beginning of a line of verse, before the normal meter begins.