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retrograde rhyme

Rhyme
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

Rhyme in which words are paired by reversed spelling or sound sequence

Detailed Definition
Retrograde rhyme is a rhyme scheme that reverses expected patterns—such as ABCCBA instead of ABABAB—or uses palindromic structures where end words mirror each other (“light/night/sight/night/light”). This technique creates symmetry, disorientation, or thematic doubling, often reflecting ideas of reversal, memory, or cyclical time. It requires careful planning to maintain musicality without sacrificing clarity.
Example
Example in poetry:
Rhyme scheme reading backward: ABCBA instead of ABABA; End words mirroring: “light” / “night” / “sight” / “night” / “light”; Palindromic rhyme: ABCCBA; Final stanza rhymes reverse the first: “day” / “way” becomes “way” / “day”; Retrograde pattern: DEED instead of ABBA
Additional Notes
Retrograde rhyme reverses expected patterns (ABBA instead of ABAB) or uses palindromic schemes. This creates symmetry or disorientation—ideal for themes of reversal or memory.
Also Known As
retrospective rhyme reversed rhyme
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