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choliambic six-measure

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 metrical line composed of six choriambic feet (– ᴗ ᴗ –), creating a stately, wave-like rhythmic pattern.

Detailed Definition
Choliambic six-measure refers to a six-foot line in choliambic (or “limping iambic”) meter—a satirical form where the final iamb is replaced by a spondee or trochee to create a halting, ironic cadence; originating with Hipponax, this meter uses metrical disruption to mock or subvert heroic norms, as in Roman invective poetry.
Example
Example in poetry:
Choliambic six-measure adapts limping meter to longer lines: constructed example: “Why do you mock my broken stride, O Muse?”; the form is rare outside classical imitation; contemporary sound poets may use choliambic six-measure for percussive effect; it appears in pedagogical exercises on metrical variation; the meter’s irregularity challenges fluent reading
Additional Notes
A line of poetry that is built on six metrical units (six-measure), specifically using the rhythm of a choliamb (a specific variation of the iambic foot, often a trochee or spondee in the final position); A type of metrical variation that creates a halting end; Related to limping meter.
Also Known As
limping iambic scazonic iambic hobbling measure lame trimeter Choliambic hexameter
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