Home › Glossary › Letter A

Aeolic rhythm

Meter
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

Want to hear it? Click the Listen button to hear the browser speak the word using text-to-speech!

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 pattern derived from ancient Aeolic verse, often using glyconics or pherecratics

Detailed Definition
Aeolic rhythm denotes metrical patterns derived from ancient Aeolic verse, especially those used by Sappho and Alcaeus, typically featuring choriambic or glyconic meters with a distinctive alternation of long and short syllables; these rhythms create a fluid, song-like cadence that differs from the stricter dactylic or iambic norms of later Greek and Latin poetry, emphasizing lyrical grace over narrative drive.
Example
Example in poetry:
Dactylic rhythm with smooth, flowing cadence like “Over the mountains, under the moon”; Trochaic lines with lyrical grace: “Gather the roses, scatter the dew”; Iambic lines infused with Aeolic softness: “The sea sighs low, the stars lean near”; Anapestic phrases echoing Sappho’s melodic pulse: “With swift feet dancing on silver sand”
Additional Notes
Aeolic rhythm denotes metrical patterns used in Aeolian lyric poetry, especially the Sapphic and Alcaic stanzas; features combinations of trochees, dactyls, and anceps syllables—distinct from Ionic or Doric rhythms.
Also Known As
Aeolic meter Aeolian cadence Lesbian rhythm Sapphic pulse Aeolic line Hellenic cadence
Skip to main content