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Complex 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 two-foot line using mixed or compound metrical feet rather than simple uniform feet

Detailed Definition
A metrical line of two feet incorporating mixed foot types or complex substitutions rather than simple uniform meter. The short line length creates compression and intensity while the metrical variation adds sophistication. Suitable for brief, intense lyrics or experimental poetry, complex dimeter combines accessibility through brevity with rhythmic interest through variation, often paired with simple rhyme schemes.
Example
Example in poetry:
In Emily Dickinson’s “I heard a Fly buzz—when I died,” dimeter lines (“Blue—uncertain stumbling Buzz”) create complex dimeter through dashes and slant rhyme; In Robert Frost’s “Dust of Snow,” “Has given my heart / A change of mood” uses dimeter with enjambment for complexity; In Marianne Moore’s “Poetry,” irregular dimeter lines embed quotation and precision; In Kay Ryan’s “Turtle,” dimeter lines compress philosophical weight; In A.R. Ammons’ “Corsons Inlet,” dimeter fragments capture coastal flux.
Additional Notes
Suitable for brief, intense lyrics or children's verse. The short line length creates urgency and compression. Often paired with simple rhyme schemes for accessibility.
Also Known As
Varied dimeter Mixed two-foot Compound short line Epitritic dimeter
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