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Webster 1913 Edition


Rhythm

Rhythm

,
Noun.
[F.
rhythme
,
rythme
, L.
rhythmus
, fr. Gr. [GREEK][GREEK][GREEK] measured motion, measure, proportion, fr.
ῥεῖν
to flow. See
Stream
.]
1.
In the widest sense, a dividing into short portions by a regular succession of motions, impulses, sounds, accents, etc., producing an agreeable effect, as in music poetry, the dance, or the like.
2.
(Mus.)
Movement in musical time, with periodical recurrence of accent; the measured beat or pulse which marks the character and expression of the music; symmetry of movement and accent.
Moore (Encyc.)
3.
A division of lines into short portions by a regular succession of arses and theses, or percussions and remissions of voice on words or syllables.
4.
The harmonious flow of vocal sounds.

Webster 1828 Edition


Rhythm

RHYTHM

,

Definition 2024


rhythm

rhythm

English

Noun

rhythm (plural rhythms)

  1. The variation of strong and weak elements (such as duration, accent) of sounds, notably in speech or music, over time; a beat or meter.
    Dance to the rhythm of the music.
  2. A specifically defined pattern of such variation.
    Most dances have a rhythm as distinctive as the Iambic verse in poetry
  3. A flow, repetition or regularity.
    Once you get the rhythm of it, the job will become easy.
  4. The tempo or speed of a beat, song or repetitive event.
    We walked with a quick, even rhythm.
  5. The musical instruments which provide rhythm (mainly; not or less melody) in a musical ensemble.
    The Baroque term basso continuo is virtually equivalent to rhythm
  6. A regular quantitative change in a variable (notably natural) process.
    The rhythm of the seasons dominates agriculture as well as wildlife
  7. Controlled repetition of a phrase, incident or other element as a stylistic figure in literature and other narrative arts; the effect it creates.
    The running gag is a popular rhythm in motion pictures and theater comedy

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