poulter's measure
[ pohl-terz ]
/ ˈpoʊl tərz /
noun Prosody.
a metrical pattern using couplets having the first line in iambic hexameter, or 12 syllables, and the second in iambic heptameter, or 14 syllables.
Words nearby poulter's measure
poulard, poulard wheat, poulenc, poult, poult-de-soie, poulter's measure, poulterer, poultice, poultry, poultryman, pounce
Origin of poulter's measure
1570–80; so called because poulters (see poulterer) used to give extra eggs when counting by the dozen
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019