limerick

Definition

A humorous, often bawdy verse of five anapaestic lines, with the rhyme scheme aabba, and typically having an 8–8–5–5–8 cadence.

Etymology

From the Irish town name Limerick, Irish Luimneach [ˈl̪ˠɪmʲənʲəx].

Example Sentences

• "The limerick, it would appear, Is a verse form we owe Edward Lear; Two long and two short Lines rhymed, as was taught, And a fifth just to bring up the rear."
• "Take a look. That’s Buffy, Muffy, and Fluffy. Do they have anything in common other than names you could write a limerick around?"