Home › Glossary › Letter D

Descending rhythm

Meter
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

Want to hear it? Click the Listen button to hear the browser speak the word using text-to-speech!

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 pattern in which stress or length gradually diminishes across a line

Detailed Definition
A rhythmic pattern in poetry that gradually weakens, moving from strong to soft stresses or long to short lines. Descending rhythm can symbolize fading energy, emotional decline, or thematic closure.
Example
Example in poetry:
Metric stress gradually softening over a stanza; Loud introduction shifting to quieter lines; Emotional intensity tapering off; Syllables decreasing per line
Additional Notes
Gradual weakening of rhythm or stress; can create sense of resolution or fading; useful in final stanzas.
Also Known As
Falling rhythm Decaying cadence Declining beat Weakening meter Falling meter
Skip to main content