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Double attribute

Device
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

Assignment of two qualities or characteristics to a single subject

Detailed Definition
Double attribute: The use of two descriptive modifiers applied to a single noun in poetry, creating layered or compound characterization. This technique, as in "dark, mysterious stranger," adds descriptive depth and complexity while maintaining economy of expression through coordinated or cumulative modification.
Example
Example in poetry:
Describing someone as both "wise and ancient"; calling a place "dark and mysterious"; characterizing a voice as "sweet and melodious"; labeling behavior as "reckless and dangerous"
Additional Notes
Creates emphasis through repetition of qualities; common in epic poetry and formal verse; may seem redundant in modern poetry but effective for emphasis; examples include "vast and trackless" or "dark and stormy"
Also Known As
Twin modifier Compound descriptor Paired qualification Double epithet Paired modifier Twin descriptor
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