Definition of Metre

1. Noun. The basic unit of length adopted under the Systeme International d'Unites (approximately 1.094 yards).

Exact synonyms: M, Meter
Generic synonyms: Metric Linear Unit
Terms within: Decimeter, Decimetre, Dm
Group relationships: Dam, Decameter, Decametre, Dekameter, Dekametre, Dkm
Derivative terms: Metric, Metrical, Metrical

2. Noun. (prosody) the accent in a metrical foot of verse.
Exact synonyms: Beat, Cadence, Measure, Meter
Category relationships: Metrics, Prosody
Generic synonyms: Poetic Rhythm, Prosody, Rhythmic Pattern
Specialized synonyms: Catalexis, Scansion, Common Measure, Common Meter, Foot, Metrical Foot, Metrical Unit
Derivative terms: Metrical, Metrical

3. Noun. Rhythm as given by division into parts of equal duration.
Exact synonyms: Meter, Time
Generic synonyms: Rhythmicity
Derivative terms: Metric

Definition of Metre

1. n. See Meter.

Definition of Metre

1. Noun. The basic unit of length in the International System of Units (SI: Système International d'Unités). It is equal to (frac 39 47 127) (approximately 39.37) imperial inches. ¹

2. Verb. (British rare) (alternative spelling of meter) ¹

3. Noun. The rhythm or measure in verse and musical composition. ¹

4. Verb. (poetry music) To put into metrical form. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Metre

1. to meter [v -TRED, -TRING, -TRES] - See also: meter

Medical Definition of Metre

1. 1. Rhythmical arrangement of syllables or words into verses, stanzas, strophes, etc.; poetical measure, depending on number, quantity, and accent of syllables; rhythm; measure; verse; also, any specific rhythmical arrangements; as, the Horatian meters; a dactylic meter. "The only strict antithesis to prose is meter." (Wordsworth) 2. A measure of length, equal to 39.37 English inches, the standard of linear measure in the metric system of weights and measures. It was intended to be, and is very nearly, the ten millionth part of the distance from the equator to the north pole, as ascertained by actual measurement of an arc of a meridian. See Metric system, under Metric. Origin: OE. Metre, F. Metre, L. Metrum, fr. Gr.; akin to Skr. Ma to measure. See Mete to measure. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Metre

metostea
metosteon
metoxenous
metoxeny
metr-
metra
metrae
metralgia
metralgias
metratonia
metratrophy
metrazol shock
metrazol shock therapy
metrazol shock treatment
metrazols
metre (current term)
metred
metres
metrestick
metrete
metria
metrial gland
metribolone
metribuzin
metric
metric-system
metric capacity unit
metric carat
metric feet
metric foot

Literary usage of Metre

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. The Merchant of Venice by William Shakespeare (1916)
"APPENDIX C metre 1. metre AND RHYTHM FULLY to enjoy reading Shakespeare, whether to oneself or aloud, it is necessary to feel the effect of his use of metre ..."

2. The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark by William Shakespeare, Walter Morris Hart (1917)
"metre AS AN INDICATION OF DATE English blank verse did not come into use till ... Thus, broadly speaking, the less strictly regular the metre, the later the ..."

3. The Catholic Encyclopedia: An International Work of Reference on the by Charles George Herbermann, Edward Aloysius Pace, Condé Bénoist Pallen, Thomas Joseph Shahan, John Joseph Wynne (1913)
"IB there metre in the Psalms? The Jews of the first century AD thought so. ... For a time many would admit no metre at all in the Psalms. ..."

4. Macbeth by William Shakespeare, Thomas Marc Parrott (1904)
"A NOTE ON metre IN order to enjoy to the full the poetry of such a play as Macbeth the ... The metre of Macbeth is, as is well known, very irregular. ..."

5. Reliques of Ancient English Poetry: Consisting of Old Heroic Ballads, Songs by Thomas Percy (1840)
"It is remarkable that all such poets as used this kind of metre, retained ' would no longer go down without it. Yet when ¡ Rhyme began to be superadded, ..."

6. Evangeline, a Tale of Acadie by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1897)
"metre is practically but another name for rhythm in poetry. ... In poetry the regular recurrence is called metre or rhythm, the former being a more definite ..."

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