Rhyme
For other uses, see Rhyme (disambiguation).
A rhyme is a repetition of similar sounds (usually, exactly the same sound) in the final stressed syllables and any following syllables of two or more words.
Most often, this kind of perfect rhyming is consciously used for artistic effect in the final position of lines within poems or songs.
More broadly, a rhyme may also variously refer to other types of similar sounds near the ends of two or more words.
Furthermore, the word rhyme has come to be sometimes used as a shorthand term for any brief poem, such as a nursery rhyme or Balliol rhyme.
Etymology
The word derives from Old French rime or ryme, which might be derived from Old Frankish rīm, a Germanic term meaning "series, sequence" attested in Old English (Old English rīm meaning "enumeration, series, numeral") and Old High German rīm, ultimately cognate to Old Irish rím, Greek ἀριθμός arithmos "number".
Alternatively, the Old French words may derive from Latin rhythmus, from Greek ῥυθμός (rhythmos, rhythm).
The spelling rhyme (from original rime) was introduced at the beginning of the Modern English period from a learned (but perhaps etymologically incorrect) association with Latin rhythmus.
The older spelling rime survives in Modern English as a rare alternative spelling; cf.
The Rime of the Ancient Mariner.
A distinction between the spellings is also sometimes made in the study of linguistics and phonology for which rime/rhyme is used to refer to the nucleus and coda of a syllable.
Some prefer to spell it rime to separate it from the poetic rhyme covered by this article (see syllable rime).
Function of rhyming words
Rhyme partly seems to be enjoyed simply as a repeating pattern that is pleasant to hear.
It also serves as a powerful mnemonic device, facilitating memorization.
The regular use of tail rhyme helps to mark off the ends of lines, thus clarifying the metrical structure for the listener.
As with other poetic techniques, poets use it to suit their own purposes; for example William Shakespeare often used a rhyming couplet to mark off the end of a scene in a play.
Types of rhyme
History
In many languages, including modern European languages and Arabic, poets use rhyme in set patterns as a structural element for specific poetic forms, such as ballads, sonnets and rhyming couplets.
Some rhyming schemes have become associated with a specific language, culture or period, while other rhyming schemes have achieved use across languages, cultures or time periods.
However, the use of structural rhyme is not universal even within the European tradition.
Much modern poetry avoids traditional rhyme schemes.
The earliest surviving evidence of rhyming is the Chinese Shi Jing (ca. 10th century BC).
Rhyme is also occasionally used in the Bible.
Classical Greek and Latin poetry did not usually rhyme, but rhyme was used very occasionally.
For instance, Catullus includes partial rhymes in the poem Cui dono lepidum novum libellum.
The ancient Greeks knew rhyme, and rhymes in The Wasps by Aristophanes are noted by a translator.
Rhyme is central to classical Arabic poetry tracing back to its 6th century pre-Islamic roots.
According to some archaic sources, Irish literature introduced the rhyme to Early Medieval Europe, but that is a disputed claim.
In the 7th century, the Irish had brought the art of rhyming verses to a high pitch of perfection.
The leonine verse is notable for introducing rhyme into High Medieval literature in the 12th century.
Rhyme entered European poetry in the High Middle Ages, in part under the influence of the Arabic language in Al Andalus (modern Spain).
Arabic language poets used rhyme extensively from the first development of literary Arabic in the sixth century, as in their long, rhyming qasidas.
Since dialects vary and languages change over time, lines that rhyme in a given register or era may not rhyme in another, and it may not be clear whether one should pronounce the words so that they rhyme.
An example is this couplet from Handel's Judas Maccabaeus:
- Rejoice, O Judah, and in songs divine
- With cherubim and seraphim harmonious join.
Rhyme in various languages
See also
- Alliteration
- Assonance
- Glossary of poetry terms
- An Introduction to Rhyme
- List of English words without rhymes
- Consonance
- Multisyllabic rhymes
- Rhyme in rap
- Rhyming recipe
- Rhyming slang (e.g. Cockney rhyming slang)
- Rhyming spiritual
- Rime table - syllable chart of the Chinese language
- Traditional rhyme
Credits to the contents of this page go to the authors of the corresponding Wikipedia page: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhyme.