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irregular meter

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

Verse employing inconsistent or variable rhythmic patterns rather than a fixed system

Detailed Definition
Irregular meter describes verse that lacks a consistent metrical pattern, mixing feet types, syllable counts, or stresses within a single poem; often used in free verse or dramatic monologues, it mimics natural speech rhythms and allows flexibility in emotional or thematic expression.
Example
Example in poetry:
Poem switching meters erratically; Ballad stanzas irregularly shifting stress count; Free verse with occasional meter insert; Lines resisting strict rhythm
Additional Notes
irregular meter: Verse that does not follow a consistent, predictable pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables, varying the dominant foot, line length, or number of stresses; used for conversational tone or expressive effects; often called free verse if the variation is total.
Also Known As
unmetrical line destabilized meter irregular prosody Beyond meter Heterorhythmic Irregular versification Sprung rhythm Mixed measure Asymmetrical verse
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