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Refrain curse

Device
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 repeating imprecation or curse inserted as a refrain in a poem.

Detailed Definition
A Refrain curse is a repeated line or phrase in a poem that functions as an imprecation or malediction, gaining power through iteration; common in folk or incantatory verse, it uses rhythmic repetition to ritualize anger, warning, or supernatural invocation, binding speaker and audience in shared dread.
Example
Example in poetry:
A line that repeats a previous negative statement or malediction with increased intensity: "Go to the dogs! Go to the devil!"; A repeated phrase that invokes misfortune or ill will upon a person or object: "A curse upon your head! A curse upon your house!"; The repetition of a specific, ritualistic denunciation throughout a piece of ritual verse; A recurring line of invective or angry condemnation
Additional Notes
A refrain that, upon its repetition, expresses a condemnation, ill-will, or negative prophecy, often growing more intense with each repetition; common in older narrative verse or folk songs.
Also Known As
Cursed refrain malediction chorus refrain of doom Albatross
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