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Adonic line

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 five-syllable metrical unit consisting of a dactyl (stressed, unstressed, unstressed) followed by a trochee (stressed, unstressed); it creates a rapid, falling rhythm often used in classical lyric.

Detailed Definition
Adonic line is a short, five-syllable verse line structured as a dactyl followed by a trochee (¯ ˘ ˘ ¯ ˘), traditionally used to conclude Sapphic stanzas in classical poetry; its rhythmic weight provides a poignant, conclusive tone, echoed in English imitations by poets like Swinburne.
Example
Example in poetry:
Sappho’s Fragment 1 ends with the Adonic line “sweetly speaking”; Adonic lines (dactyl + trochee: – u u – x) close many Aeolic stanzas; Catullus 61 uses Adonic lines in wedding hymns; modern use: H.D.’s “Oread” adapts Adonic brevity for imagist intensity
Additional Notes
Two-syllable line: stressed-unstressed. Very short—creates abrupt, emphatic effect. Often used as closing line (Sapphic stanza). Named after Greek poet Adonis.
Also Known As
Adonic measure Short dactylic line Sapphic closer Terminal dactyl Adonic verse Sapphic adonic
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