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Dimeter couplet

Form
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-line stanza in which each line contains exactly two metrical feet, often used for brevity, wit, or epigrammatic effect.

Detailed Definition
A Dimeter couplet is a two-line stanza in which each line contains only two metrical feet, creating a compact, often epigrammatic or aphoristic effect; its brevity lends itself to wit, closure, or stark emphasis, as seen in nursery rhymes, epitaphs, or modern minimalist poetry seeking sharpness over elaboration.
Example
Example in poetry:
Dimeter couplet: "Stop here. / Go there."; "Night falls. / Day calls."; "Short lines, tight rhyme: 'Cat sat. / On mat.'"; "Comic effect: 'My pen / Ran out.'"; "Dramatic brevity: 'She died. / I cried.'"
Additional Notes
Stanza of two lines in dimeter (two feet per line). Very compact form creating brevity and emphasis. Often used for maxims or epigrams. Compare with standard couplet lengths.
Also Known As
two-foot couplet brief couplet
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