It was customary, on some occasions, to dance round
the altars whilst they sang the sacred hymns, which
consisted of three stanzas or parts; the first of
which, called strophe, was sung in turning from east
to west; the other, named antistrophe, in returning
from west to east; then they stood before the altar,
and sang the epode, which was the last part of the
song. --Abp. Potter.
2. (Rhet.)
(a) The repetition of words in an inverse order; as, the
master of the servant and the servant of the master.
(b) The retort or turning of an adversary's plea against
him.