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Classical dimeter

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 verse line consisting of two metrical feet in classical prosody.

Detailed Definition
Classical dimeter is a metrical line composed of two metrical feet, commonly used in Greek and Latin poetry for lyrical or dramatic effect; depending on the foot type (e.g., iambic, trochaic), it creates a brisk, rhythmic cadence suitable for choral odes, hymns, or epigrams, offering concision and musicality within a compact framework.
Example
Example in poetry:
Greek elegiac couplets often use dimeter in the second line (e.g., Catullus 85: “Odi et amo”); Roman funeral inscriptions in iambic dimeter; Sappho’s fragments with two-meter lines; Martial’s epigrams employing concise dimeter for punch.
Additional Notes
Classical dimeter = two metrical feet per line (e.g., iambic dimeter). Common in hymns or refrains—check for catalexis or substitution in practice.
Also Known As
Greek dimeter classical two-foot line dactylic dimeter trochaic dimeter Glyconic dimeter
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