rhythm (n.)

An application of the general sense of this term in PHONOLOGY, to refer to the perceived regularity of PROMINENT UNITS in speech. These regularities (of rhythmicality) may be stated in terms of patterns of STRESSED v. unstressed SYLLABLES, syllable LENGTH (long v. short) or PITCH (high v. low) – or some combination of these variables. Maximally regular patterns, such as are encountered in many kinds of poetry, are referred to as ‘metrical’.