In poetry, a pyrrhic is a metrical foot consisting of two unstressed syllables.
Here's how it works:
* Metrical Foot: A basic unit of rhythm in poetry, usually consisting of two or three syllables.
* Unstressed Syllable: A syllable that is pronounced with less emphasis or force.
For example, consider the word "about." The first syllable "a" is unstressed, and the second syllable "bout" is unstressed. This makes "about" a pyrrhic foot.
Here's how a pyrrhic might look in a line of poetry:
```
The about the wind-swept hills,
```
In this example, "a" and "bout" form a pyrrhic foot.
Note: While a pyrrhic foot is common in some poetic forms, it's not a dominant foot. More common feet include:
* Iamb: Unstressed, Stressed (e.g., "below)
* Trochee: Stressed, Unstressed (e.g., "heaven")
* Spondee: Stressed, Stressed (e.g., "heartbreak")
The presence of pyrrhic feet can contribute to a sense of lightness, informality, or a slower pace in a poem.