Metre (British) or Meter (American) is the regulated patterning of speech-rhythm (see prosody) so as to produce a partial resemblance or equivalence between successive segments of verse, usually called lines.
Metre has traditionally been a defining feature of verse (but see free verse). In English the regulated features are known as beats. In addition other prosodic features, such as the number of syllables, may also be constrained.
Metre has traditionally been a defining feature of verse (but see free verse). In English the regulated features are known as beats. In addition other prosodic features, such as the number of syllables, may also be constrained.
Experimental attempts to regulate other aspects of prosody, in imitation of foreign metres, such as the number of syllables alone (as,
892 words
Citation: Groves, Peter Lewis. "Metre / Meter". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 23 June 2004 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=1217, accessed 25 April 2024.]
