dimeter

[ dim-i-ter ]

noun

, Prosody.

1. a verse or line of two measures or feet, as He is gone on the mountain,/He is lost to the forest.

dimeter

/ ˈdɪmɪtə /

noun

1. prosody a line of verse consisting of two metrical feet or a verse written in this metre

Word History and Origins

Origin of dimeter¹

1580–90; < Late Latin dimeter < Greek dímetros of two measures, a dimeter, equivalent to di- di- ¹ + -metros, adj. derivative of métron meter ¹

Example Sentences

A circular table has a dimeter of 100 inches.

From Slate

Nesbit's five-beat/two-beat stanza-pattern is ideal for the voice: the dimeter, particularly when it's the last line, give point to those curt or wry moments of emphasis and reversal.

From The Guardian

Of the rapid transitions with which Plautus passes from one metre to another in the expression of strong excitement of feeling, we have a striking example in the long recitative of Ballio88, in which trochaics, septenarian, octonarian, and dimeter, are continually varied by the introduction now of one, now of several, octonarian or septenarian iambics.

From Project Gutenberg

But in a large number of the fragments of the dialogue, where there is any excitement of feeling or intensity of thought, we find him using the more rapid trochaic septenarian, with quick transitions to the anapaestic dimeter, or tetrameter, as the passion passes beyond the control of the speaker.

From Project Gutenberg

Thus the Greeks name Bacchus, Dimeter, having two mothers; the Hindus call Scandha, the son of Baghesa, Divimatri, with the same signification.

From Project Gutenberg