Home › Glossary › Letter A

Anacreontic hexameter

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 six-foot line adapting the Anacreontic rhythm—typically a mix of iambic and trochaic elements—used for playful or amorous lyrical effects.

Detailed Definition
Anacreontic hexameter blends the celebratory tone of Anacreon with the grandeur of dactylic hexameter, though this hybrid is rare; it may adapt classical hexameter to lighter, amorous subjects, creating ironic or elevated treatments of ephemeral pleasures.
Example
Example in poetry:
Anacreontic hexameter is non-standard; Anacreontic meter is typically shorter—this may refer to a six-line stanza in Anacreontic rhythm, celebrating wine and love.
Additional Notes
Six-foot anacreontic line. Longer than typical Anacreontic verse; rare usage. Related to hexameter variations. Would create extended light rhythm unusual for Anacreontic brevity. Possibly experimental or mixed form.
Also Known As
Anacreontic six-foot Wine-song hexameter Drinking meter long
Skip to main content