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Complete anapestic hexameter

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 of six anapestic feet (eighteen syllables total)

Detailed Definition
Complete anapestic hexameter is a rare but powerful metrical form comprising six anapestic feet (da-da-DUM ×6), creating a rolling, expansive rhythm suited to narrative or incantatory verse; though uncommon in English, it appears in didactic or children’s poetry for its driving momentum and musicality.
Example
Example in poetry:
“And the sound of a voice that is still in the heart of the storm as it rages” (six anapestic feet); “Through the forests of night where the wild creatures prowl in their hunger and fear” (complete hexameter); “With a rush and a roar and a cry from the depths of the turbulent ocean” (regular anapestic hexameter); “In the glow of the dawn as it breaks on the hills with a promise of peace” (metrical completeness with thematic closure)
Additional Notes
Complete anapestic hexameter contains six anapestic feet (18 syllables); uncommon in English due to length but appears in narrative or mock-heroic poems (e.g., Byron’s “The Destruction of Sennacherib”) for rhythmic drive.
Also Known As
Strict anapestic hexameter full anapestic six-footer regular anapestic line complete anapestic measure Full anapestic hexameter Untruncated anapestic hexameter
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