Home › Glossary › Letter S

Syzygy

Foot
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

Want to hear it? Click the Listen button to hear the browser speak the word using text-to-speech!

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

In prosody, the pairing of metrical feet or the alignment of word and metrical stress

Detailed Definition
Syzygy in poetry refers to the conjunction of two metrical elements—such as the alignment of word stress with metrical stress or the coupling of feet into dipodies; though more common in astronomy, its prosodic use highlights moments of rhythmic harmony or tension, and poets may exploit syzygy to reinforce semantic emphasis or create sonic cohesion.
Example
Example in poetry:
Syzygy in poetry denotes metrical coordination, such as two feet forming a unit; In dactylic hexameter, the first two dactyls may form a syzygy; The term also describes consonantal alignment (e.g., alliteration), as in “swift, silent steps”; In Greek metrics, syzygy marks paired metra in stichic verse; It ensures rhythmic cohesion across lines; Syzygy helps maintain flow in complex strophic forms.
Additional Notes
Syzygy: In prosody, the pairing or alignment of metrical elements, such as two feet forming a metron; also used in astronomy, but in poetry it denotes rhythmic coupling; helpful for understanding how feet interact within larger metrical structures.
Other Meanings of “Syzygy”
Also Known As
Metrical syzygy Eclipse
Skip to main content