octameter, a. and n. Pros.
(ɒkˈtæmɪtə(r))
Also octometer (-ˈɒm-).
[ad. L. octameter, -trum adj., a. Gr. ὀκτάµετρ-ος (µέτρον measure).]
a. adj. Consisting of eight measures or feet. b. n. A verse containing eight measures or feet.
| a 1849 Poe Philos. Composition, The rhythm..of the ‘Raven’..is trochaic, is octameter acatalectic, alternating with heptameter catalectic..and terminating with tetrameter catalectic. 1889 Athenæum 25 May 657/1 ‘March: an Ode’ [by Swinburne], is the only instance in the language of a poem written in octometers. 1900 H. W. Smyth Greek Metric Poets 259 The long, swelling octameter. |