masculine ending: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Formal, Technical, Literary
Quick answer
What does “masculine ending” mean?
In prosody, a line of verse that ends on a stressed syllable.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
In prosody, a line of verse that ends on a stressed syllable.
A metrical term describing the rhythmic conclusion of a poetic line, creating a sense of finality or abruptness. In broader literary analysis, it can also refer to narrative or thematic conclusions perceived as traditionally 'masculine'—decisive, closed, or action-oriented.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in definition. The term is used identically in UK and US academic and literary contexts.
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both varieties. Any gendered connotations are part of the term's historical framing, not a regional difference.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both regions, confined to specialist discourse.
Grammar
How to Use “masculine ending” in a Sentence
The [poem/line] has a masculine ending.A masculine ending occurs in [line number].[Poet] favours masculine endings.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “masculine ending” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The poet often chooses to masculine-end his lines for dramatic effect.
American English
- The poet often chooses to end his lines masculinely for a punchier effect.
adverb
British English
- The line concludes masculinely, with a firm stress.
American English
- The line ends masculinely, with a firm stress.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
[Not applicable]
Academic
Common in university-level literature, poetry, and linguistics courses when analysing metre.
Everyday
Virtually never used in everyday conversation.
Technical
The primary context. Used in prosodic analysis, literary criticism, and poetry workshops.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “masculine ending”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “masculine ending”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “masculine ending”
- Using it to describe the ending of a story about men.
- Confusing it with 'masculine rhyme' (which is a related but distinct concept).
- Pronouncing 'ending' with a weak final syllable when saying the term itself.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a traditional term from literary history that uses gendered metaphors (masculine=strong/stopped, feminine=weak/continuing). Many modern scholars acknowledge this historical framing while using the terms for their precise technical meanings.
Not in the technical prosodic sense, as it requires metrical verse. However, one might metaphorically describe a sentence or paragraph ending with a stressed, impactful word as having a 'masculine' quality.
It can. A masculine ending typically pairs with a 'masculine rhyme' (a rhyme on a single stressed syllable, e.g., 'mind'/'find'), whereas a feminine ending pairs with a feminine rhyme (e.g., 'ending'/'bending').
No. A caesura is a pause within a line of verse. A masculine ending is specifically about the stress pattern on the final syllable of the line.
In prosody, a line of verse that ends on a stressed syllable.
Masculine ending is usually formal, technical, literary in register.
Masculine ending: in British English it is pronounced /ˈmæskjəlɪn ˈɛndɪŋ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈmæskjəlɪn ˈɛndɪŋ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not applicable for this technical term]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'MAN at the END' – a masculine ending has a strong, stressed syllable at the end, like a firm, final step.
Conceptual Metaphor
GENDER FOR RHYTHMIC QUALITY (Historical): Strength/finality is metaphorically masculine; lightness/continuation is feminine.
Practice
Quiz
What is the direct antonym of 'masculine ending' in prosody?