short metre

British  

noun

1. a stanza form, used esp for hymns, consisting of four lines, the third of which has eight syllables, while the rest have six

---

Example Sentences

The light, short metre in which Butler composed his comic narrative was well suited to the subject, and corresponded to the "swift iambics" of Archilochus.

From History of English Humour, Vol. 1 With an Introduction upon Ancient Humour by L'Estrange, Alfred Guy Kingan

But I wish you would suggest to mother the propriety of sending me another box; the last we finished in short metre.

From The Continental Monthly, Vol. 2, No. 2, August, 1862 Devoted to Literature and National Policy by Various

Short sermons, short prayers, short hymns, and short metre are peculiarly interesting.

From Continental Monthly, Vol. III, No IV, April 1863 Devoted to Literature and National Policy by Various

I'll touch you off now in short metre.

From Recollections of Bytown and Its Old Inhabitants by Lett, William Pittman

Thinks I, I don't cleverly know whether that indicates 'walk in,' or 'walk out,' it's plaguy short metre, that's a fact; but I'll see anyhow.

From The Clockmaker Or, the Sayings and Doings of Samuel Slick, of Slickville by Haliburton, Thomas Chandler