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Hyperiambic tetrameter

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

Iambic tetrameter with an added unstressed syllable at the end, creating a feminine or hypermetric cadence.

Detailed Definition
Hyperiambic tetrameter is a four-foot line composed of hyperiambs (u u /), totaling nine syllables, creating a swift, syncopated cadence; it appears in innovative or folk-influenced verse where the extra unstressed syllable per foot generates a lilting, songlike quality distinct from standard iambic tetrameter.
Example
Example in poetry:
Hyperiambic tetrameter: Four hyperiambic feet per line: “Upon the hill the old oak stands in solemn, watchful grace” — each foot follows the ˘ ˘ ¯ pattern.
Additional Notes
Iambic tetrameter with extra syllable(s). Four iambs plus extension. Related: tetrameter, hypercatalexis. Study: effect of extension on tetrameter's balance.
Also Known As
Extended iambic tetrameter Overlong four-foot iambic Surplus tetrameter Hyper-extended four-foot
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