noun
dactyl
Dactyl (noun) means a unit of poetic rhythm made up of three syllables, one long or stressed followed by two short or unstressed.
noun
1
A unit of poetic rhythm made up of three syllables, one long or stressed followed by two short or unstressed.
2
A unit of poetic rhythm with three syllables, the first long or stressed and the other two short or unstressed.
3
In metre based on stress, a rhythmic unit with a stressed syllable followed by two unstressed ones.
4
In metre based on syllable length, a rhythmic unit with a long syllable followed by two short ones.
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Etymology
Learned borrowing from Latin dactylus, from Ancient Greek δάκτυλος (dáktulos, “finger”), from the three bones of the finger corresponding to three syllables. Doublet of dactylus, date, and (possibly) digit.
Synonyms
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Rhymes for dactyl
See all rhymes for dactyl →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of dactyl?
"dactyl" (noun) means a unit of poetic rhythm made up of three syllables, one long or stressed followed by two short or unstressed.
What is another word for dactyl?
Other words for "dactyl" include digit.
What are the different meanings of dactyl?
"dactyl" has 3 main meanings: 1. A unit of poetic rhythm made up of three syllables, one long or stressed followed by two short or unstressed; 2. A unit of poetic rhythm with three syllables, the first long or stressed and the other two short or unstressed; 3. In metre based on stress, a rhythmic unit with a stressed syllable followed by two unstressed ones.
