Dodecasyllable

/ˌdoʊdɛkəˈsɪləbəl/ noun

Definition

A word that has exactly twelve syllables, or a line of verse consisting of twelve syllables.

Etymology

From Greek 'dodeca' (twelve) + 'syllaba' (syllable) + '-able' (able to be). This term names linguistic units defined by their specific syllable count, following the pattern of monosyllable, disyllable, and polysyllable.

Kelly Says

Finding or creating perfect dodecasyllables in English is actually quite difficult because our language doesn't naturally fall into 12-syllable patterns—but French poets built entire masterpieces around dodecasyllabic lines, making syllable-counting almost a mathematical art form.

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