Mid 17th century; earliest use found in Thomas Blount (1618–1679), antiquary and lexicographer. From post-classical Latin pentastichus group of five lines of verse from Byzantine Greek πεντάστιχος (adjective) of five lines from ancient Greek πεντα- + στίχος.
Definition of pentastich in US English:
pentastich
nounˈpɛntəstɪk
Prosody
A group of five lines of verse.
Origin
Mid 17th century; earliest use found in Thomas Blount (1618–1679), antiquary and lexicographer. From post-classical Latin pentastichus group of five lines of verse from Byzantine Greek πεντάστιχος (adjective) of five lines from ancient Greek πεντα- + στίχος.