anapestic meter

Meter using a foot of three syllables, in which the accent falls on the third syllable.
(t'was the NIGHT | be- fore CHRIST- | mas when ALL | through the HOUSE)

cinquain

A poetic form invented by Adelaid Crapsey, an American poet. The five lines of the poem contain, in order, two, four, six, eight, and two syllables. Iambic meter prevails.

dactylic meter

Meter using a foot of three syllables, in which the accent falls on the first syllable.
(HEY did- dle | DID- dle the | CAT and the | FID- dle)

foot

a metric unit

iambic meter

Meter using a foot of two syllables, in which the accent falls on the second syllable.
(the KING | was IN | his COUNT- | ing HOUSE)

metric unit

A set of two or three syllables of which only one is stressed. See anapestic meter, dactylic meter, iambic meter, trochaic meter.

trochaic meter

Meter using a foot of two syllables, in which the accent falls on the first syllable.
(PE- ter | PIP- er | PICKED a | PECK of | PICK- led | PEP- pers)