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extra syllable ending

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 that ends with an additional unstressed syllable beyond expectation

Detailed Definition
A verse line ending with an additional unstressed syllable beyond the regular meter, often producing a softer or more open-ended conclusion; also called a feminine ending.
Example
Example in poetry:
Ending a sonnet line with an extra unstressed syllable; Adding “ly” ending to extend a metrical foot; Rhyming with an uncounted final syllable; Overrunning the line’s expected measure
Additional Notes
A line ending with an extra unstressed syllable beyond the regular metrical pattern, also called a feminine ending. Creates a softer, more open closure than the masculine ending. Common in iambic pentameter (e.g., Shakespeare). Contrasts with masculine ending, which ends on a stressed syllable. Learners should listen for how feminine endings affect the emotional weight of a line's conclusion.
Also Known As
Feminine ending Weak ending Hypermetrical close Extra-syllable close
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