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Syllabic verse

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

Verse measured by a fixed syllable count per line, irrespective of stress.

Detailed Definition
Syllabic verse is a poetic form structured by counting syllables per line rather than by stress or metrical feet, common in languages like French or Japanese (e.g., haiku); in English, it offers an alternative to accentual-syllabic meter, allowing for rhythmic flexibility while maintaining formal discipline, as seen in Marianne Moore’s precise syllabic stanzas.
Example
Example in poetry:
Syllabic verse: Marianne Moore’s "No Swan So Fine": each stanza has lines of 7, 8, 6, 8, 8, 5, 9 syllables — meter based on syllable count, not stress.
Additional Notes
Syllabic verse: Poetry structured by counting syllables per line rather than stresses (e.g., haiku: 5-7-5); common in French, Japanese, and some modern English poetry (e.g., Marianne Moore).
Also Known As
Syllable-count verse Equal-syllable poetry Measured poem Syllabic meter
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