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Amphibrachic six-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 hexameter line composed entirely of six amphibrachic feet (u – u), producing a flowing, wave-like cadence rare in English but used experimentally.

Detailed Definition
Amphibrachic six-foot line comprises six amphibrachic feet, creating an eighteen-syllable line with an extended rocking rhythm. This lengthy line can accommodate substantial narrative content while maintaining rhythmic consistency through the repeated u / u pattern. The amphibrachic six-foot line's considerable length requires skillful management to avoid monotony, but when handled effectively, it produces a sustained wavelike quality suitable for epic or narrative purposes requiring extended breath.
Example
Example in poetry:
Amphibrachic six-foot lines (˘ ‒ ˘ x6) are rare but appear in experimental verse: Swinburne’s “The Garden of Proserpine” uses amphibrachic rhythms for hypnotic effect; Russian poets like Fet employed amphibrachic hexameter for lyrical flow; contemporary poet A.E. Stallings adapts classical meters in “Sestina”; Victorian hymns occasionally used amphibrachic patterns for solemnity; modern attempts include Derek Walcott’s rhythmic experiments in “Omeros.”
Additional Notes
Amphibrachic six-foot is a line of verse composed of six amphibrachs (a metrical foot: ∪−∪); this is also known as amphibrachic hexameter, a long line that is very rare and potentially cumbersome in English poetry.
Also Known As
Amphibrachic hexameter Six-foot amphibrach Long amphibrach line
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