Home › Glossary › Letter B

brief couplet

Form
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 compact two-line stanza, frequently in dimeter or trimeter, valued for its brevity and rhythmic punch.

Detailed Definition
Brief couplet designates a two-line stanza or unit characterized by its compressed length and concise expression. These shortened couplets typically employ fewer metrical feet than standard couplets, creating tighter, more compact verse units that deliver meaning efficiently.
Example
Example in poetry:
A two-line poem or stanza using abbreviated form; Shortened rhyming pair expressing complete thought; Compact couplet with condensed expression; Pope's "Little strokes fell great oaks" demonstrates brief couplet form
Additional Notes
brief couplet|form|A two-line poem or stanza with compact, epigrammatic expression ideal for wit or closure. Builds on heroic couplets but prioritizes brevity; usage tip: place at poem's end for punchy resolution; practice condensing ideas to sharpen precision.
Also Known As
Short couplet Miniature two-liner Compressed distich Dimeter couplet Laconic couplet Light pair
Skip to main content