\An*tis"tro*phe\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?, fr. ? to turn
to the opposite side; ? against + ? to turn. See {Strophe}.]
1. In Greek choruses and dances, the returning of the chorus,
   exactly answering to a previous strophe or movement from
   right to left. Hence: The lines of this part of the choral
   song.
         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.