metre

Other forms: metres

Definitions of metre

1. noun

   the basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards)
   synonyms: m, meter

   type of:

   metric linear unit

   a linear unit of distance in metric terms
2. noun

   rhythm as given by division into parts of equal duration
   synonyms: meter, time

   type of:

   rhythmicity

   the rhythmic property imparted by the accents and relative durations of notes in a piece of music
3. noun

   (prosody) the accent in a metrical foot of verse
   synonyms: beat, cadence, measure, meter

   types:

   catalexis

   the absence of a syllable in the last foot of a line or verse

   scansion

   analysis of verse into metrical patterns

   common measure, common meter

   the usual (iambic) meter of a ballad

   foot, metrical foot, metrical unit

   (prosody) a group of 2 or 3 syllables forming the basic unit of poetic rhythm

   dactyl

   a metrical unit with stressed-unstressed-unstressed syllables

   iamb, iambus

   a metrical unit with unstressed-stressed syllables

   anapaest, anapest

   a metrical unit with unstressed-unstressed-stressed syllables

   amphibrach

   a metrical unit with unstressed-stressed-unstressed syllables (e.g., `remember')

   trochee

   a metrical unit with stressed-unstressed syllables

   spondee

   a metrical unit with stressed-stressed syllables

   dibrach, pyrrhic

   a metrical unit with unstressed-unstressed syllables

   type of:

   poetic rhythm, prosody, rhythmic pattern

   (prosody) a system of versification