| dactyl |
| Definition - A long syllable followed by two short ones. |
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Example - 'Ka - ther - ine |
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Etymology - The word derives from the Greek dactylos, finger. Note: The digital reference is because fingers have three segments: a long one followed by two short ones. |
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Oxford English Dictionary - Its first citation is from about 1420: "Vers of sixe feet, rennende with dactile and sponde feet." (Wyclif Bible, Job Prol. (1850) II. 671) |
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Feedback: I know this is the standard way of defining dactyls (and anapests), but it's not very accurate, since the business of long and short syllables doesn't hold. Check out any limerick, a form which is also in a triplet-based rhythm. The beat or pulse remains constant and the syllables are more or less equal in length. There is, however, a stressed syllable followed by two unstressed ones (or sometimes vice-versa). (Jack Ognistoff) |
