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Molossic trimeter

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 three-foot line of molossi (three longs), creating weighty, imposing cadence

Detailed Definition
Molossic trimeter is a three-foot line of molossi (/ / / x3), totaling nine stressed syllables, producing a relentless, drumlike rhythm; it is virtually nonexistent in traditional English poetry but may appear in modernist experiments seeking to maximize rhythmic density and sonic impact.
Example
Example in poetry:
Molossic trimeter (– – – | – – – | – – –) appears in Greek choral odes; used for emphatic, slow-paced lines in tragedy; modern example: Anne Carson’s translations of Euripides retain molossic weight; this meter conveys gravity and finality; it’s rare in English due to stress-timed rhythm; molossic trimeter emphasizes each syllable equally for ritual effect.
Additional Notes
Line of three molossic feet (– – – – – – – – –). Nearly impossible in English. Related: molossus, quantitative meter. Tip: Would require nine consecutive stressed syllables—might occasionally occur through monosyllabic stressed words but unsustainable.
Also Known As
Triple-stress trimeter Three-long three-foot Heavy trimeter All-stressed middle line
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