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Double truncation

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 line shortened by two syllables, often at the beginning and end, altering its rhythmic feel

Detailed Definition
Double truncation shortens a metrical line by omitting both its initial and final syllables, creating a compressed, abrupt effect; for example, an iambic pentameter might lose its first unstressed and last stressed syllable, yielding a stark, intense line often used in dramatic monologues or moments of crisis to heighten emotional urgency.
Example
Example in poetry:
A line normally of iambic tetrameter reduced to two feet: “And run” instead of “And quickly run away”; Truncated dimeter from expected trimeter: “Cold night” vs. “It’s a cold, dark night”; In ballad meter, a line cut short for emphasis: “He fell—” ending abruptly; Final line of stanza shortened to create tension: “But I—”
Additional Notes
Double truncation shortens both the beginning and end of a metrical line (e.g., removing first and last syllables); creates abruptness or intensity—common in dramatic monologues.
Also Known As
double-shortened line clipped trimeter doubly truncated verse amputated meter Brachycatalexis Double catalectic double catalexis
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