TROCHEE Meaning and
Definition
-
A trochee, in the realm of poetry and prosody, is a metrical foot consisting of a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable. It is considered one of the fundamental building blocks of meter in various poetic forms, including accentual-syllabic verse. The term "trochee" derives from the Latin word "trochaeus," which in turn originates from the Greek word "trochaios," meaning "running" or "to run."
The beauty of the trochee lies in its rhythmic power, as it creates a distinct and energetic feel due to the stress placed on the first syllable of each foot. This pronounced emphasis followed by a weaker or softer syllable adds dynamism and forward momentum to the poetic line. Oftentimes, trochees are used in combination with other metrical feet to build a rhythmic pattern throughout a poem. The juxtaposition of stressed and unstressed syllables in a trochee contributes to the overall musicality and linguistic resonance of a poetic composition.
Trochees are frequently utilized in various poetic traditions, such as ancient Greek and Latin poetry, as well as in English poetry throughout different periods. Their flexibility and versatility allow poets to create diverse rhythmic effects, depending on the desired tone, mood, or theme of the poem. By employing trochees strategically, poets can establish a particular tempo, enhance the emotional impact of words, establish memorable patterns, and craft verses that are aesthetically pleasing to both the eye and ear.
-
A metrical foot of two syllables, a long followed by a short.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for TROCHEE
Etymology of TROCHEE
The word "trochee" comes from the Ancient Greek word "trokhaios", which means "running" or "to run". In ancient Greek poetry, there were two basic types of metrical feet: "trochees" and "iambs". A trochee consists of a stressed syllable followed by an unstressed syllable, while an iamb consists of an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. The term "trochee" was first used in English poetry to refer to this metrical foot and has been in use since the 16th century.
Similar spelling words for TROCHEE
- treck,
- trice,
- track,
- truce,
- triche,
- Trish,
- tracy,
- trace,
- Tracey,
- Traci,
- Tracee,
- trash,
- truck,
- trachea,
- troche,
- Tracie,
- Trees,
- trego,
- trejo,
- triose,
- Traweek,
- trickey,
- trick.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
