Relating to or composed of two iambic metrical feet in poetry, where each foot has an unstressed syllable followed by a stressed one.
From Greek 'dia-' (two) + 'iambic' (from iambus, a metrical foot). The prefix 'dia-' meaning 'through' or 'across' became used to indicate doubling or repetition in technical terms.
Ancient Greek poets invented specific rhythms for different emotions—the iamb was considered the most natural rhythm for speech, which is why Shakespeare loved it. By doubling it into diambic patterns, poets created a faster, more energetic heartbeat in their verses.
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