A metrical foot used in ancient Greek and Latin poetry consisting of a specific pattern of long and short syllables, typically found in dramatic verse.
From Greek 'dokhmios,' possibly derived from a verb meaning 'to accept' or 'to seem right,' referring to its use in accepting or responding speeches. The term appears in Greek prosodic terminology.
The dochmiac is one of the most emotionally intense meters in Greek drama—when characters use it, they're expressing agitation, confusion, or emotional turmoil, making it the ancient equivalent of broken, fragmented speech!
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