Definition

1. Noun:
   • A verse line consisting of eight syllables: A single line of poetry that contains exactly eight syllables.
   • A poem composed of octosyllabic lines: A poem whose lines consistently have eight syllables each.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The poet favored the octosyllable for its brisk and musical rhythm.
  • Many medieval ballads are written in octosyllables.

Advanced Usage

• As a metrical term: In prosody (the study of verse), an 'octosyllable' is a specific metrical line. A poem written in octosyllabic couplets pairs these eight-syllable lines in a rhyming pattern.
  • The narrative poem was composed in iambic octosyllables.

Variants and Related Words

• Octosyllabic (adj): Having eight syllables. Describes a word, line, or poem.
  • The octosyllabic verse created a light, flowing pace.

Synonyms

• Octosyllabic line: A line of eight syllables.
• Eight-syllable line: A descriptive synonym for an octosyllable.

Noun

1. a verse line having eight syllables or a poem of octosyllabic lines