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Molossic 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

A four-foot line of molossi (three long or stressed syllables per foot)

Detailed Definition
Molossic tetrameter consists of four molossus feet per line (– – –), a heavily stressed, emphatic meter rarely used outside classical contexts; its triple-long syllables create a pounding, ritualistic cadence suited to invocations or moments of extreme intensity.
Example
Example in poetry:
Molossic tetrameter (– – – | – – – | – – – | – – –) appears in Greek tragedy for solemnity; rare in English, but A.M. Juster adapts it in neo-Latin odes; molossic foot (three long stresses) creates heavy, ritual rhythm; modern formalist Timothy Steele experiments with molossic measures for emphasis; this meter suits lament or invocation; it’s distinct from dactylic or iambic flow.
Additional Notes
Line of four molossic feet (– – – – – – – – – – – –). Purely theoretical in English. Related: molossic meter, classical prosody. Tip: Would require twelve consecutive stressed syllables—functionally impossible in natural English speech.
Also Known As
Triple-stress tetrameter Three-long four-foot Heavy tetrameter All-stressed standard line
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