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Cheville

Device
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 filler word or phrase inserted solely to fulfill metrical or rhyming requirements, often criticized as artificial padding.

Detailed Definition
A cheville is a filler word or phrase inserted into a line of verse solely to meet metrical requirements, often considered a flaw in classical prosody; though sometimes dismissed as padding, it can subtly shape rhythm or tone in oral performance.
Example
Example in poetry:
Cheville: Filler words to meet meter: “Full many a flower is born to blush unseen” (Gray)—“full” is cheville; In ballads: “And so it came to pass that day” where “that day” pads the line; Modern critique: chevilles as “metrical fat” (original commentary)
Additional Notes
French term for metrical padding or filler word used to complete line without adding meaning. Considered technical weakness. Similar to expletive in grammar. Good poets minimize cheville through skillful composition.
Also Known As
metrical padding filler words
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