'anaclasis' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'anaklasis,' where 'ana-' meant 'up' or 'back' and 'klasis' meant 'breaking.'

'anaklasis' transformed into the Latin word 'anaclasis,' and eventually became the modern English word 'anaclasis.'

Initially, it meant 'a breaking up or bending back,' but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'metrical variation in poetry.'