2511. RHYTHM (Gr. ῥυθμός, from ῥεῖν, _to flow_) is the effect of
regularity produced by the discrimination of a movement or sound into
uniform intervals of time. It is often marked by a stress or _ictus_
recurring at fixed intervals.
Rhythm is by no means confined to verse. Music, dancing, and even the
regular beat of a trip-hammer, have rhythm. Particular kinds of movement
are often called rhythms, as anapaestic rhythms, dactylic rhythms, &c.
2512. METRE (Gr. μέτρον, _a measure_) is the definite measurement of
verse by feet, lines, strophes, systems, &c.
2513. Latin verse is quantitative, the rhythm depending upon the
quantity of the syllables (but see 2548). The ictus naturally falls upon
a long syllable (or its equivalent). English verse, on the other hand,
is accentual, its rhythm depending upon the accent of words.