haiku

Definition

A Japanese poem in three lines, the first and last consisting of five morae, and the second consisting of seven morae, usually with an emphasis on the season or a naturalistic theme.

Etymology

Borrowed from Japanese 俳(はい)句(く) (haiku), from Middle Chinese 俳 (beaj, “paralleled [writing]”) + 句 (kɨoᴴ, “line”).

Example Sentences

• "Some of the results resemble haikus."
• "Haiku, a poem"
• "five beats, then seven, then five"