scansion

[ skan-shuhn ]

noun

, Prosody.

1. the metrical analysis of verse. The usual marks for scansion are ˘ for a short or unaccented syllable, ¯ or ′ for a long or accented syllable, ^ for a rest, | for a foot division, and ‖ for a caesura or pause.

scansion

/ ˈskænʃən /

noun

1. See stress, quantity
   the analysis of the metrical structure of verse See quantity stress

Word History and Origins

Origin of scansion¹

1645–55; < Late Latin scānsiōn- (stem of scānsiō ), Latin: a climbing, equivalent to scāns ( us ) (past participle of scandere to climb) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of scansion¹

C17: from Latin: climbing up, from scandere to climb, scan

Example Sentences

Words are shoehorned in without much regard for scansion, stress, or tone.

From The Daily Beast

It anticipates the climax of the description, besides ruining the scansion of the line.

From Project Gutenberg

The latter syllable of Venus comes at the csural pause; but the scansion is best mended by omitting nygh; see footnote.

From Project Gutenberg

The best way of scansion is perhaps to read despyt-e with final e, preserved by csura, and to pronounce Diane as Din'.

From Project Gutenberg

A knowledge of the most common forms of variation is necessary to correct scansion.

From Project Gutenberg

Consider the question which of these two systems of scansion is the more accurate and the more convenient.

From Project Gutenberg