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Dactylic expansion

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 foot that elongates the standard dactyl (stressed-unstressed-unstressed) by adding an extra unstressed syllable; extends the pattern to create a more flowing, expansive poetic line.

Detailed Definition
Dactylic expansion stretches dactyls, in epics for flow. It cascades; in myths, it mirrors grandeur, sustaining heroic tales.
Example
Example in poetry:
Dactylic expansion adds syllables to a dactyl, as in "Haste away, my friend" (expanded); "Come now, my love" (dactylic expansion); "Fly on high, above the trees" (lengthened); "Sing with joy, let your heart be free" (expanded dactyl); "Run now fast, through field and glen" (dactylic expansion); "Come and see, the stars shine bright" (expanded dactyl).
Additional Notes
Dactylic expansion lengthens the dactyl (– ᴗ ᴗ) by adding unstressed syllables, extending the fall and building momentum; this elongation supports narrative sweep and emotional crescendo in long-form poetry.
Also Known As
Extended dactyl lengthened dactylic foot
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