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Untruncated tetrameter

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 tetrameter line that maintains all expected metrical feet without truncation, elision, or missing syllables, preserving full rhythmic integrity.

Detailed Definition
Untruncated tetrameter consists of four complete metrical feet per line without omitted syllables, preserving rhythmic regularity; often used in ballads or hymns, this steady, unbroken meter provides a reliable pulse that supports narrative clarity or communal singing.
Example
Example in poetry:
An iambic tetrameter line with eight syllables: “The curfew tolls the knell of parting day”; “I wandered lonely as a cloud”; “And miles to go before I sleep”; “The woods are lovely, dark and deep”
Additional Notes
Untruncated tetrameter: A four-foot line that is metrically complete (acatalectic), containing the full number of syllables expected for its established meter (e.g., eight syllables for iambic or trochaic tetrameter), with no missing feet or end syllables.
Also Known As
Complete tetrameter Full four-foot line Uncut tetrameter Acatalectic tetrameter
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