Metre

[mi:tә]

Definition

(n.) Rhythmical arrangement of syllables or words into verses, stanzas, strophes, etc.; poetical measure, depending on number, quantity, and accent of syllables; rhythm; measure; verse; also, any specific rhythmical arrangements; as, the Horatian meters; a dactylic meter.

(n.) A poem.

(n.) A measure of length, equal to 39.37 English inches, the standard of linear measure in the metric system of weights and measures. It was intended to be, and is very nearly, the ten millionth part of the distance from the equator to the north pole, as ascertained by actual measurement of an arc of a meridian. See Metric system, under Metric.

(n.) See Meter.

Edited by Lester

Synonyms and Synonymous

n. [Written also Meter.] Measure (of verse), rhythmical arrangement (of syllables), poetical measure.

Typed by Carolyn

Definition

n. that regulated succession of certain groups of syllables in which poetry is usually written—these groups of long and short (classical) or accented (English) syllables being called feet: rhythm: verse or poetry generally: a plan of versification the character of a stanza as consisting of a given number of lines composed of feet of a given number construction and accent: musical time.—adjs. Met′ric -al pertaining to metre or to metrology: consisting of verses.—adv. Met′rically.—ns. Metric′ian Met′ricist one skilled in metres one who writes in metre; Met′rics the art or science of versification; Metrificā′tion. (Tenn.) the act of making verses; Met′rifier a versifier; Met′rist one skilled in metres a skilful versifier; Metromā′nia a mania for writing verses.—Common metre the stanza forming a quatrain in eights and sixes of four and of three iambic feet alternately—also Service metre from its use in the metrical psalms &c. and Ballad metre from its use in old romances and ballads; Long metre an octosyllabic quatrain the four lines with four feet each; Short metre the quatrain in sixes with the third line octosyllabic.

Same as Meter.

Checked by Lemuel