short metre: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1-C2Formal, Technical/Literary
Quick answer
What does “short metre” mean?
A specific poetic and hymn stanza form consisting of four lines with a syllable pattern of 6, 6, 8, 6.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A specific poetic and hymn stanza form consisting of four lines with a syllable pattern of 6, 6, 8, 6.
In hymnody and poetry, a common metre variant where the third line is extended. Also used to refer more generally to anything concise or brief in poetic form.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in definition. The term is used identically in literary and musical contexts in both regions.
Connotations
Scholarly, precise, related to traditional hymnody and formal verse.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and specialized in both varieties. More likely encountered in academic, literary, or religious circles.
Grammar
How to Use “short metre” in a Sentence
[Hymn/poem] + is + in + short metreto write + in + short metreVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “short metre” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The short-metre hymn is a classic of the repertoire.
- He preferred short-metre compositions for their pace.
American English
- It's a short-meter hymn from the 18th century.
- The short-meter stanza is less common than common meter.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in literature and musicology departments when analysing poetic or hymn structures.
Everyday
Extremely rare; only among those discussing hymn-writing or poetry.
Technical
Core term in prosody and hymnology for a specific metrical pattern.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “short metre”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “short metre”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “short metre”
- Using 'short metre' to mean 'a brief period of time'.
- Misspelling 'metre' as 'meter' in British contexts, though 'meter' is standard in American English for this term.
- Assuming it describes the length of a poem rather than its stanzaic structure.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. 'Short metre' refers to a specific stanza structure (6,6,8,6 syllables). A poem can be long but composed of many short metre stanzas.
Common metre has an 8,6,8,6 pattern. Short metre is 6,6,8,6, making the first two lines shorter.
In British English, 'metre' is standard for the unit of rhythm. In American English, 'meter' is used for both rhythm and measurement.
Almost exclusively in the study or practice of hymnology, traditional poetry, and prosody (the study of verse).
A specific poetic and hymn stanza form consisting of four lines with a syllable pattern of 6, 6, 8, 6.
Short metre is usually formal, technical/literary in register.
Short metre: in British English it is pronounced /ʃɔːt ˈmiːtə/, and in American English it is pronounced /ʃɔːrt ˈmiːtər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Short Metre is SHORT on the first, second, and fourth lines (6 syllables), but the third line takes a little MORE (8 syllables).
Conceptual Metaphor
MEASURE FOR LANGUAGE (Metre is a measured unit for verse, like a metre rule is for length).
Practice
Quiz
What is the defining syllable pattern of a short metre stanza?