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Adonic quatrain

Form
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 four-line stanza where each line follows the adonic pattern (dactyl + trochee)

Detailed Definition
Adonic quatrain is a four-line stanza ending with an Adonic line, often following three longer lines (e.g., in Sapphic adaptation); this structure builds lyrical momentum before resolving into the distinctive, mournful cadence of the Adonic, enhancing emotional closure.
Example
Example in poetry:
An Adonic quatrain is a four-line stanza ending with an Adonic line; e.g., in a Sapphic-inspired quatrain: “The moon shines bright above the sea, / The waves roll in with solemn glee, / The night is calm, the air is free, / Love, flee!”
Additional Notes
Four-line stanza using Adonic meter throughout. Rare standalone form; more common as part of Sapphic structures. Creates lilting, compressed effect.
Also Known As
Adonis stanza four-line adonic
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