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Iambic dimeter catalectic

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 two-foot iambic line (˘ – | ˘) missing its final unstressed syllable, creating a truncated, emphatic cadence.

Detailed Definition
Iambic dimeter catalectic is a two-foot iambic line missing its final unstressed syllable, resulting in a truncated three-syllable line ending on a stress (u / u); this metrical variation adds abruptness or emphasis, commonly found in classical adaptations or modern experimental verse seeking rhythmic asymmetry.
Example
Example in poetry:
Emily Dickinson’s “I heard a Fly buzz—when I died—” uses iambic dimeter catalectic: “With Blue—uncertain stumbling Buzz” (missing final unstressed syllable); Robert Herrick’s “To the Virgins” includes catalectic dimeter: “Gather ye Rose-buds”; Ben Jonson’s “Drink to me only” uses catalectic dimeter in refrain: “Doth ask a drink of me”; Contemporary poet Kay Ryan uses catalectic dimeter for wit: “Short lines, sharp ends”; Wallace Stevens’ “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” includes catalectic dimeter: “I was of three minds”; Christina Rossetti’s “Song” uses catalectic dimeter: “When I am dead.”
Additional Notes
Iambic dimeter with shortened final foot. One syllable dropped. Related: catalectic, dimeter. Study: truncation's abruptness in short line.
Also Known As
Truncated iambic dimeter Shortened two-foot iambic Headless dimeter Reduced rising line
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