DictionaryRoot: metron
Greek

metron

measure

Forms

  • metr-
  • metro- — Combining form with a linking vowel.
  • -meter — Form used in borrowed and newly formed names for measuring instruments.

Origin

Reconstructed Proto-Indo-European *meh₁-, ‘measure.’

Note

Measure also applies to rhythm: a verse can have a measured pattern.

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adjective

metric

Relating to the rhythmic pattern of poetry.

Etymology

The Greek source means measure. In poetry, the adjective refers to the measured pattern of stresses or syllables that constitutes verse meter.

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