anacrusis /anəˈkɹuːsɪs/ noun2 •An unstressed syllable at the start of a verse. •An unstressed note or notes before the first strong beat (or downbeat) of a phrase.Then Etheridge poised his baton, jerked an upbeat, and made the violinists speak the low G and A of their anacrusis. — 1989 formsanacruses