metrical
Americanadjective
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pertaining to meter or poetic measure.
-
composed in meter or verse.
-
pertaining to measurement.
adjective
-
of or relating to measurement
-
of or in poetic metre
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of metrical
1375–1425; late Middle English < Late Latin metric ( us ) ( see metric 2) + -al 1
Explanation
If the ruler you use is marked with millimeters and centimeters, you can say you use metrical measurements. The adjective metrical is a less common way to say metric, as in the metric system of measurement. Instead of using inches and feet, a metrical system uses centimeters and meters as units for measuring length. Most countries measure metrical distances, size, and lengths, although the United States doesn't. The root of metrical is the Greek word metron, which means "measure."
Vocabulary lists containing metrical
Reading: Literature - Poetry - Middle School
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Reading: Literature - Poetry - High School
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Reading: Literature - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Here, in Globish—with plus signs indicating missing words that Terry apparently doesn’t want to guess at and vertical lines demarcating metrical units—are the trapper’s instructions to Shamhat for seducing Enkidu:
From The New Yorker • Oct. 7, 2019
The Breeches Edition recently returned to Pittsburgh also had an attached hymnal known as a metrical Psalter - the book of Psalms set to musical notation, he said.
From Washington Times • May 11, 2019
His mentors were John Crowe Ransom and Theodore Roethke, masters of the metrical line, but perhaps his favorite American poet was Gary Snyder and one of his best friends was Robert Bly.
From New York Times • Nov. 22, 2017
And while general rhythm was good overall, the few problems all involved longer notes being slightly too short, distorting the metrical feel of a phrase.
From Washington Post • Nov. 12, 2017
What gives the three phrases their climactic force is actually a metrical effect.
From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
