Four-measure cretic is a metrical line containing four cretic feet or measures, each following the long-short-long or stressed-unstressed-stressed pattern. The term "measure" emphasizes the musical dimension of prosody, treating each cretic foot as a rhythmic unit comparable to measures in musical notation. This twelve-syllable line creates structured, balanced rhythm through four symmetrical units. While more practical than longer cretic lines, it remains unusual in English poetry due to the challenge of maintaining the pattern naturally. When employed, the four-measure cretic produces formal, wavelike effects through its repetitive structure, though poets must balance pattern against natural speech rhythms.

Four-measure cretic is equivalent to four-foot cretic; reflects older terminology where "measure" denoted metrical unit.