Main Entry:

ca·dence

Pronunciation:

\ˈkā-d^ən(t)s\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old Italian cadenza, from cadere to fall, from Latin — more at chance

Date:

14th century

1 a: a rhythmic sequence or flow of sounds in language b: the beat, time, or measure of rhythmical motion or activity2 a: a falling inflection of the voice b: a concluding and usually falling strain ; specifically : a musical chord sequence moving to a harmonic close or point of rest and giving the sense of harmonic completion3: the modulated and rhythmic recurrence of a sound especially in nature

— ca·denced \-d^ən(t)st\ adjective

— ca·den·tial \kā-ˈden(t)-shəl\ adjective