Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
dactyl
Noun
/ˈdaktɪl/
Definition
A dactyl is a metrical foot in poetry that consists of one stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables.
Examples
- The word ‘elephant’ is a dactyl because it has one stressed syllable followed by two unstressed syllables.
- In the line ‘This is the forest primeval’, there is a notable use of dactylic meter.
Meaning
In poetry, a dactyl creates a rhythmic structure that adds a distinct pace and flow to the verse.
Synonyms
- none
