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Third paeon

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 paeon stressing the third syllable (unstressed-unstressed-stressed-unstressed), for building tension.

Detailed Definition
Third paeon delays stress further, used in rhetorical poetry for climactic buildup. It heightens drama; in oratorical verse, it structures arguments, mirroring persuasive escalation in classical debates.
Example
Example in poetry:
Third paeon (/ u u /) places the stress on the first and fourth syllables, as in "Hope springs eternal in the human breast" (third paeon in "Hope springs"); "Time and again we return to love" (third paeon in "Time and again"); "Home is the sailor, home from sea" (third paeon in "Home is the"); "Far and wide the news did spread" (third paeon in "Far and wide"); "Long and loud the cheers did ring" (third paeon); "Bright and clear the morning broke" (third paeon usage).
Additional Notes
Third paeon places stress on the third syllable of a four-syllable foot (ᴗ ᴗ – ᴗ), delaying emphasis and building suspense; this rising pattern contributes to rhythmic anticipation and is effective in invocations, prayers, or lines leading to a climactic turn.
Also Known As
paroxytone paeon
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