| dactyl |
| Definition: A long syllable followed by two short ones. |
| Example: 'Ka - ther - ine |
| 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. |
| Oxford English Dictionary: Its first OED citation is from about 1420: "Vers of sixe feet, rennende with dactile and sponde feet." (Wyclif Bible, Job Prol. (1850) II. 671) |
| 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) |