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Masculine hexameter

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 dactylic hexameter line ending on a stressed syllable (typically long syllable in quantitative terms)

Detailed Definition
Masculine hexameter refers to a six-foot line ending in a stressed syllable (masculine caesura), often used in classical or neoclassical epic poetry; in English adaptations, it provides stately rhythm for heroic themes, as in Longfellow’s “Evangeline,” though true dactylic hexameter remains rare outside translation.
Example
Example in poetry:
Masculine hexameter: a six-foot line ending in stressed syllable—rare in English but attempted in translations of Homer; Dryden’s heroic couplets sometimes approximate it for epic tone; A contemporary experiment: “Time grinds bones to dust beneath its heel” (six strong beats); Masculine hexameter conveys authority, finality, and weight; Contrasts with feminine endings that trail off.
Additional Notes
Hexameter with masculine (single-syllable) ending. Classical form with strong, truncated closure. Compare with feminine ending for sonic differences.
Also Known As
standard hexameter epic line ending
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