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Catalectic iambic tetrameter

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 line of four iambic feet (∪ — ×4) missing its final unstressed syllable; this catalectic form creates a clipped, emphatic ending, often used in English ballads and hymns for a strong rhythmic closure.

Detailed Definition
Catalectic iambic tetrameter is a four-foot iambic line missing its final unstressed syllable, creating a masculine ending; common in hymns and ballads (e.g., “Amazing Grace”), it adds rhythmic drive and emphasis through truncation.
Example
Example in poetry:
A catalectic iambic tetrameter line has four iambic positions but lacks the final unstressed syllable: “The lamps go out, the streets grow still”; the common ballad hymn meter alternates fuller and shortened lines, as in “Amazing Grace” patterns; “I walked the road, I watched the rain” demonstrates four strong iambic beats ending stressed; scanning should allow natural substitutions, since English meter is a pattern, not mechanical alternation
Additional Notes
Four-foot iambic line missing final syllable. Creates truncated, emphatic endings. Common in hymns and ballads for strong closure.
Also Known As
truncated tetrameter short iambic four
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