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Choliamb catalectic

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

Truncated choliamb (iambic with spondaic end), for even more limping satire.

Detailed Definition
Choliamb catalectic further shortens the scazon, intensifying mockery in Hellenistic verse. It hobbles derisively; poets use it for biting humor, where extra limp underscores ridicule.
Example
Example in poetry:
The choliamb catalectic (iamb with final spondee truncated) appears in "I came to speak, but found no ear" (choliamb catalectic); "I sought for truth, but truth was gone" (truncated choliamb); "I called your name, but none replied" (catalectic choliamb); "I gave my heart, but it was torn" (choliamb catalectic); "I wrote in love, but love was cold" (truncated form); "I sang in joy, but joy was gone" (choliamb catalectic).
Additional Notes
Choliamb catalectic further shortens the already limping choliamb (iambic with spondaic ending), enhancing its irregular, halting gait; this exaggerated asymmetry was used classically for satire and parody, mocking formal perfection.
Also Known As
Catalectic choliamb halting iambic
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