prosody

noun pros·o·dy \ ˈprä-sə-dē , -zə- \

plural prosodies

1 : the study of versification; especially : the systematic study of metrical structure

2 : a particular system, theory, or style of versification

3 : the rhythmic and intonational aspect of language

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prosodist

play \ˈprä-sə-dist, -zə-\ noun

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Recent Examples of prosody from the Web

For example, as a young bishop, Monson is said to have tended with particular care to the more than 80 widows in his congregation, comforting each one with small acts of kindness and telling stories with his signature sing-song prosody.

— eric armstrong, New Republic, "Mormonism’s Crisis of Faith," 12 Jan. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prosody.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of prosody

Middle English, from Latin prosodia accent of a syllable, from Greek prosōidia song sung to instrumental music, accent, from pros in addition to + ōidē song — more at pros-, ode

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First Known Use: 15th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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