Pentameter
/ˌpɛnˈtæm.ɪ.tər/noun
A line of verse consisting of five metrical feet.
Did you know?The root behind pentameter also gives us Pentagon and pentagon, because the same ancient Greek element for “five” survives in both geometry and verse.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
pénte
“five”
Ancient Greek
Greek
métron
“measure”
Late Latin
Latin
pentameter
“a verse line of five measures”
Middle French
French
pentamètre
“pentameter, a metrical line”
16th Century
English
pentameter
“a line of verse of five metrical feet”
Modern English
English
pentameter
“a line of verse consisting of five metrical feet”