meter

¹me·ter

noun \ˈmē-tər\

Definition of METER

1

a : systematically arranged and measured rhythm in verse: (1) : rhythm that continuously repeats a single basic pattern <iambic meter> (2) : rhythm characterized by regular recurrence of a systematic arrangement of basic patterns in larger figures <ballad meter> b : a measure or unit of metrical verse —usually used in combination <pentameter> — compare foot 4 c : a fixed metrical pattern : verse form

2

: the basic recurrent rhythmical pattern of note values, accents, and beats per measure in music

Origin of METER

Middle English, from Old English & Anglo-French; Old English mēter, from Latin metrum, from Greek metron measure, meter; Anglo-French metre, from Latin metrum — more at measure

First Known Use: before 12th century

Other Literature Terms

apophasis, bathos, bildungsroman, bowdlerize, caesura, coda, doggerel, euphemism, poesy, prosody

Rhymes with METER

beater, bleater, cheater, eater, fetor, greeter, heater, liter, meeter, peter, pleater, praetor, rhetor, seater, sheeter, skeeter, teeter, treater, tweeter