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Mixed six-foot

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 hexameter line composed of varied or alternating metrical feet

Detailed Definition
Mixed six-foot refers to a hexameter line that integrates multiple metrical feet (e.g., dactyls with iambs or spondees) to sustain rhythmic interest over its extended length; while classical hexameter relies on dactyls and spondees, English adaptations often mix measures to accommodate linguistic stress patterns and avoid monotony.
Example
Example in poetry:
Classical hexameter is six dactyls, but mixed six-foot in English: “The king rode out (iamb) on a black steed (anapest) through the cold night (dactyl)”; modern example: “Thunder rolls (iamb) over hills (trochee) in the dead of night (anapest)”; another: “She walked alone (iamb) past silent shops (trochee) under moonlight (dactyl)”; rare in English, but attempted in narrative verse.
Additional Notes
Mixed six-foot lines (hexameter) incorporate varied feet within a six-beat line; while rare in English, they can add grandeur or complexity when used deliberately.
Also Known As
Varied hexameter blend Composite hexameter Irregular six-beat line Complex hexameter Mixed six-foot verse
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