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Capitular rhyme

Rhyme
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 rhyme scheme based on matching initial letters or capitalized words at the start of lines or stanzas rather than end-rhyme conventions.

Detailed Definition
Capitular rhyme links the initial sounds or letters of lines rather than their endings, functioning as an alliterative or acrostic device that creates subtle sonic cohesion; it’s rare in English but appears in medieval and experimental poetry for structural emphasis.
Example
Example in poetry:
Capitular rhyme in medieval acrostics where first letters spell names; Contemporary example: each stanza begins with "L-O-V-E"; Capitular rhyme in George Herbert’s shaped poems; The form links visual and sonic patterns; Capitular rhyme often serves devotional or dedicatory purpose
Additional Notes
Medieval rhyme pattern used in chapter headings or sections of longer works. Often employs leonine rhyme for memorable effect. Served both decorative and mnemonic functions in manuscripts.
Also Known As
Chapter rhyme heading rhyme initial rhyme capital-based sound
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