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Adonic foot

Meter
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A metrical unit consisting of a dactyl followed by a spondee or trochee

Detailed Definition
Adonic foot is a metrical unit comprising a dactyl (¯ ˘ ˘) plus a trochee (¯ ˘), forming a five-syllable pattern often used as a closing line in Sapphic stanzas; its distinctive cadence lends solemnity and finality, making it ideal for epigrammatic or devotional verse.
Example
Example in poetry:
An Adonic foot is a metrical foot of a dactyl plus a trochee (˘ ˘ ¯ ˘ ¯); it often closes Sapphic stanzas, as in Swinburne’s imitation: “Love, stronger than death, is fled.”
Additional Notes
Two-syllable foot: long-short (¯ ˘) in quantitative verse, or stressed-unstressed in accentual. Named after Adonis. Often ends Sapphic stanzas. Creates falling, conclusive rhythm.
Also Known As
Adonic measure Short dactyl Closing foot
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