Definition: Anacrusis refers to stray notes that come before the first complete measure at the beginning of a composition; unaccented beats that rhythmically prepare your ears for the first full measure of a song.
Plural: Anacruses
The measure which holds these stray notes is called the pickup measure.
Pronunciation: anna-crue'-sis, anna-crue'-seas (pl)
Also Known As: pickup or pickup note(s)
