Cadence
/ˈkeɪ.dəns/noun
A rhythmic flow or pattern in speech, music, or movement.
Did you know?“Cadence” comes from Latin *cadere*, “to fall,” the same ancient root behind words like *accident* and *coincidence*—so its rhythm is literally built on the idea of falling into place.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*kad-
“to fall”
Latin
Latin
cadere
“to fall, sink down, come to a stop”
Late Latin
Latin
cadentia
“a falling, a fall; rhythmic fall of the voice”
Old French
Old French
cadence
“rhythm, flow, the modulation of the voice”
Middle English
English
cadence
“rhythm in speech or music”
Modern English
English
cadence
“a rhythmic flow or pattern in speech, music, or movement”