DODECASYLLABLE Meaning and
Definition
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A dodecasyllable refers to a poetic meter or verse with twelve syllables. Derived from the Greek words "dodeka," meaning twelve, and "sullabē," meaning syllable, it specifically applies to a line of verse consisting of exactly twelve syllables. This metrical structure is commonly used in various poetic forms and genres, including sonnets, ballads, and epics.
Typically, a dodecasyllabic line adheres to a specific pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables, known as a metrical foot. The most common metrical foot employed in dodecasyllable verse is the iamb, which consists of two syllables with the first being unstressed and the second stressed. This iambic meter creates a rhythmic pattern that flows smoothly and melodically, delighting the reader's or listener's ear.
Throughout literary history, various languages and cultures have adopted this specific meter, such as the French alexandrine or the Spanish endecasílabo. Dodecasyllables display versatility, allowing poets to craft complex and emotionally rich expressions. The structured and measured nature of dodecasyllable lines can evoke a sense of balance, regularity, or even grandeur.
Moreover, dodecasyllables offer poets a range of creative possibilities, enabling them to manipulate line breaks, punctuation, and rhymes to enhance meaning and aesthetic appeal. By utilizing dodecasyllables effectively, poets can effectively convey their thoughts, emotions, and narratives while retaining a distinctive and memorable rhythmic quality in their verses.
Common Misspellings for DODECASYLLABLE
- sodecasyllable
- xodecasyllable
- codecasyllable
- fodecasyllable
- rodecasyllable
- eodecasyllable
- didecasyllable
- dkdecasyllable
- dldecasyllable
- dpdecasyllable
- d0decasyllable
- d9decasyllable
- dosecasyllable
- doxecasyllable
- docecasyllable
- dofecasyllable
- dorecasyllable
- doeecasyllable
- dodwcasyllable
Etymology of DODECASYLLABLE
The word "dodecasyllable" is derived from the combination of two Greek roots: "dodeka", meaning "twelve", and "syllabē", meaning "syllable". In Greek, "dodekasyllabos" (δωδεκασύλλαβος) is the term used to describe a line of verse composed of twelve syllables. Through the process of borrowing and adaptation, the word entered English as "dodecasyllable", retaining its original meaning as a twelve-syllable line of poetry.
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