ARSIS Ar"sis, n. Etym: [L. arsis, Gr. lifting of the hand in beating time, and hence the unaccented part of the rhythm.]
1. (Pros.) (a) That part of a foot where the ictus is put, or which is distinguished from the rest (known as the thesis) of the foot by a greater stress of voice. Hermann. (b) That elevation of voice now called metrical accentuation, or the rhythmic accent.
Note: It is uncertain whether the arsis originally consisted in a higher musical tone, greater volume, or longer duration of sound, or in all combined.
2. (Mus.)
Defn: The elevation of the hand, or that part of the bar at which it is raised, in beating time; the weak or unaccented part of the bar; - - opposed to thesis. Moore.
ARSMETRIKE
Ars`met"rike, n. Etym: [An erroneous form of arithmetic, as if from
L. ars metrica the measuring art.]
Defn: Arithmetic. [Obs.] Chaucer.
ARSON
Ar"son, n. Etym: [OF. arson, arsun, fr. L. ardere, arsum, to burn.]
(Law)
Defn: The malicious burning of a dwelling house or outhouse of another man, which by the common law is felony; the malicious and voluntary firing of a building or ship. Wharton.
Note: The definition of this crime is varied by statues in different countries and states. The English law of arson has been considerably modified in the United States; in some of the States it has been materially enlarged, while in others, various degrees of arson have been established, with corresponding punishment. Burrill.