What does the poetry term meter mean?

In poetry, meter refers to the rhythmical pattern of a line of verse. It's created by the arrangement of stressed and unstressed syllables.

Think of it like the beat of a song - it gives the poem a distinct rhythm and musicality.

Here's a breakdown of the key elements:

* Foot: The basic unit of meter, consisting of a specific combination of stressed and unstressed syllables. Common feet include:

* Iamb: Unstressed, Stressed (e.g., "be**low")

* Trochee: Stressed, Unstressed (e.g., "happy")

* Spondee: Stressed, Stressed (e.g., "sea wind)

* Anapest: Unstressed, Unstressed, Stressed (e.g., "into the** wood")

* Dactyl: Stressed, Unstressed, Unstressed (e.g., "merrily we")

* Line: A line of poetry consists of a specific number of feet.

* Meter: The overall pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry, determined by the type and number of feet.

Here are some examples of different meters:

* Iambic pentameter: Five iambs per line (e.g., "But soft! what light through yonder window breaks?")

* Trochaic tetrameter: Four trochees per line (e.g., "Double, double, toil and trouble")

* Spondaic hexameter: Six spondees per line (e.g., "Strong is the sea wind, the wave is high)

Understanding meter helps you appreciate the musicality and rhythm of poetry. It's like learning the dance steps of a poem!