|ferə|krad.ik noun
also pher·e·cra·te·an -krād.ēən ; or pher·e·cra·tian -āshən
( -s )
Usage: sometimes capitalized
Etymology: pherecratic from Pherecrates, 5th century B.C. Greek poet (from Greek Pherekratēs ) + English -ic; pherecratean alteration of pherecratian, from Late Latin pherecratius of Pherecrates (from Greek pherekrateios, from Pherekratēs ) + English -an
1. : a classical verse or rhythmic system of the form -˘˘-˘-˘̵ — called also aristophanic, first pherecratic
2. : a classical verse or rhythmic system of the form ˘̵˘̵-˘˘-˘̵ — called also second pherecratic