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Antibacchic expansion

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 metrical pattern that prolongs the antibacchius (a three-syllable foot with an unstressed-unstressed-stressed pattern), stretching its final descending rhythm to create an effect of depth, deliberation, or weight.

Detailed Definition
Antibacchic expansion stretches unstressed-long-long, for varied iambs. It deepens fall; in elegies, it prolongs sorrow, enriching mournful themes.
Example
Example in poetry:
The antibacchic expansion (u / / u) lengthens the antibacchic foot, as in "The wind blows cold through silent trees" (expanded); "The night is deep, the stars are bright" (extended antibacchic); "The river flows with gentle might" (expansion of u / / u); "The fire burns with steady flame" (expanded antibacchic); "The bells ring out in evening air" (lengthened form); "The heart beats strong with love’s command" (antibacchic expansion).
Additional Notes
Antibacchic expansion lengthens the antibacchius (ᴗ – –), a rising foot, by extending its duration or adding syllables; this deepens the ascending motion, enhancing emotional build-up in lyrical or dramatic contexts where intensity grows toward a climax.
Also Known As
Extended antibacchius lengthened antibacchic
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