Double iamb

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-syllable metrical unit comprising two iambic feet (˘ – ˘ –), often used as a building block in longer iambic lines or modern verse.

Detailed Definition
Double iamb refers to a metrical unit consisting of two consecutive iambic feet, creating a four-syllable pattern with stresses on the second and fourth syllables. This unit combines two unstressed-stressed pairs into a larger rhythmic module used in building longer metrical lines.
Example
Example in poetry:
Two iambic feet combined into single four-syllable unit; Paired unstressed-stressed pattern creating dimeter; Four-syllable measure with two rising rhythms; "Shall I compare thee" demonstrates double iamb pattern
Additional Notes
A metrical foot consisting of two iambs combined, creating a four-syllable unit with alternating stress.
Also Known As
Paired iambic foot Ionic meter Double unstressed-stressed pattern Diiamb
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