dimeter

American  

[dim-i-ter] / ˈdɪm ɪ tər /

noun

Prosody.

1. a verse or line of two measures or feet, as He is gone on the mountain,/He is lost to the forest.

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dimeter British  

/ ˈdɪmɪtə /

noun

1. prosody a line of verse consisting of two metrical feet or a verse written in this metre

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Etymology

Origin of dimeter

1580–90; < Late Latin dimeter < Greek dímetros of two measures, a dimeter, equivalent to di- di- ¹ + -metros, adj. derivative of métron meter ¹

Example Sentences

A circular table has a dimeter of 100 inches.

From Slate • Mar. 14, 2018

But the dimeter rhythm gives the poem a gusty, bouncing pace, the staccato verses succeeding each other like short sharp flurries of March wind.

From The Guardian • Mar. 29, 2010

It might be described as an iambic hepthemimer followed by a trochaic dimeter brachycatalectic.

From The History of Roman Literature From the earliest period to the death of Marcus Aurelius by Cruttwell, Charles Thomas

The synaphea peculiar to this metre is neglected by him, and the rule that each system should close with a paroemiac or dimeter catalectic is constantly violated.

From The History of Roman Literature From the earliest period to the death of Marcus Aurelius by Cruttwell, Charles Thomas

Accordingly we find the first ten of these epodes 708 composed in alternate verses of iambic trimeter and iambic dimeter, thus:— “At o Deorum quicquid in coelo regit Terras et humanum genus.”

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 9, Slice 6 "English Language" to "Epsom Salts" by Various