Dactyl
noun
In poetry, a dactyl is a specific rhythm that has one stressed syllable followed by two unstressed ones.
The word 'happiness' is an example of a dactyl, with the stress on the first syllable 'hap'.
Often appears as...
- 'dactyl meter'
- 'dactyl pattern'
Usage tips
Poetic
noun
In the terminology of biology, a dactyl is one of the digits of an animal. These can be claws, toes, or fingers depending on the animal.
Birds have a varied number of dactyls, depending on their species.
Often appears as...
- 'bird dactyl'
- 'reptile dactyl'
Usage tips
Technical
noun
In poetry, a dactyl is a specific rhythm that has one stressed syllable followed by two unstressed ones.
The word 'happiness' is an example of a dactyl, with the stress on the first syllable 'hap'.
Often appears as...
- 'dactyl meter'
- 'dactyl pattern'
Usage tips
Poetic
noun
In the terminology of biology, a dactyl is one of the digits of an animal. These can be claws, toes, or fingers depending on the animal.
Birds have a varied number of dactyls, depending on their species.
Often appears as...
- 'bird dactyl'
- 'reptile dactyl'
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Poetic Rhythm
Remember, a dactyl adds a rhythmic beat to poetry, similar to musical notes.
In the line 'Merrily we roll along,' 'merrily' is the dactyl.
Pro Tip 2/3Stress Patterns
A dactyl's stressed syllable is key to its rhythm, so focus on the emphasis when pronouncing it.
In a dactyl, like 'elephant,' stress the 'el' and lightly say '-e-phant.'
Pro Tip 3/3Not Always Perfect
Poets may vary the dactyl pattern for effect, so it's not always uniform.
Poets might mix dactyls with trochees to create varied poetic rhythms.
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Video examples
Erin McKean: The joy of...
besides getting to come to TED -- is that you get to say really fun words, like lexicographical. Lexicographical has this great it's called a double dactyl. And just by saying double dactyl, I've sent the geek needle all the way into the red.
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 261 PIPE...
background it kind of breaks up that that rounded head but you can actually see the foot of the owl we've got what we call Zygo dactyl feet on ours two toes forward and two toes back and sydney talking earlier about tracks owls
Video examples
Why Shakespeare loved...
forming a distinct unit, just as a musical measure consists of a certain number of beats. One line of verse is usually made up of several feet. For example, a dactyl is a metrical foot of three syllables
Video examples
Erin McKean: The joy of...
besides getting to come to TED -- is that you get to say really fun words, like lexicographical. Lexicographical has this great it's called a double dactyl. And just by saying double dactyl, I've sent the geek needle all the way into the red.
Video examples
Safari Live - Day 261 PIPE...
background it kind of breaks up that that rounded head but you can actually see the foot of the owl we've got what we call Zygo dactyl feet on ours two toes forward and two toes back and sydney talking earlier about tracks owls
Video examples
Why Shakespeare loved...
forming a distinct unit, just as a musical measure consists of a certain number of beats. One line of verse is usually made up of several feet. For example, a dactyl is a metrical foot of three syllables
Example 1 of 3
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