Definitions for: Cadence


[n] a recurrent rhythmical series
[n] (prosody) the accent in a metrical foot of verse



Webster (1913) Definition: Ca"dence, n. [OE. cadence, cadens, LL. cadentia a
falling, fr. L. cadere to fall; cf. F. cadence, It. cadenza.
See Chance.]
1. The act or state of declining or sinking. [Obs.]

Now was the sun in western cadence low. --Milton.

2. A fall of the voice in reading or speaking, especially at
the end of a sentence.

3. A rhythmical modulation of the voice or of any sound; as,
music of bells in cadence sweet.

Blustering winds, which all night long Had roused
the sea, now with hoarse cadence lull Seafaring men
o'erwatched. --Milton.

The accents . . . were in passion's tenderest
cadence. --Sir W.
Scott.

4. Rhythmical flow of language, in prose or verse.

Golden cadence of poesy. --Shak.

If in any composition much attention was paid to the
flow of the rhythm, it was said (at least in the
14th and 15th centuries) to be ``prosed in faire
cadence.'' --Dr. Guest.

5. (Her.) See Cadency.

6. (Man.) Harmony and proportion in motions, as of a
well-managed horse.

7. (Mil.) A uniform time and place in marching.

8. (Mus.)
(a) The close or fall of a strain; the point of rest,
commonly reached by the immediate succession of the
tonic to the dominant chord.
(b) A cadenza, or closing embellishment; a pause before
the end of a strain, which the performer may fill with
a flight of fancy.

Imperfect cadence. (Mus.) See under Imperfect.


Ca"dence, v. t.
To regulate by musical measure.

These parting numbers, cadenced by my grief. --Philips.

Synonyms: beat, cadency, measure, meter

See Also: common measure, common meter, foot, metrical foot, metrical unit, poetic rhythm, prosody, rhythmic pattern, rhythmicity, scansion

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