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Cretic tetrameter

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 four-foot line composed of cretics (stressed-unstressed-stressed)

Detailed Definition
Cretic tetrameter is a metrical line composed of four cretic feet (– ˘ –), resulting in twelve syllables; used infrequently in English poetry, it lends a processional or ritualistic cadence, often employed in hymns, incantations, or modernist experiments seeking archaic or non-iambic rhythmic alternatives.
Example
Example in poetry:
Cretic tetrameter: "Hark! the bold bard sings with might and grace" (each foot is long-short-long: – ᴗ – | – ᴗ – | – ᴗ – | – ᴗ –)
Additional Notes
Cretic tetrameter contains four cretic feet per line (– ᴗ – / – ᴗ – / – ᴗ – / – ᴗ –). Uncommon but more sustainable than longer cretic lines. Creates insistent, drumming rhythm.
Also Known As
Four-foot cretic Amphimacer tetrameter Four-measure cretic
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