Rhythm - Dictionary Definition and Overview

Rhythm :  (noun)
1: the basic rhythmic unit in a piece of music; "the piece has a fast rhythm"; "the conductor set the beat" [syn: beat, musical rhythm]
2: recurring at regular intervals [syn: regular recurrence]
3: an interval during which a recurring sequence of events occurs; "the neverending cycle of the seasons" [syn: cycle, round]
4: the arrangement of spoken words alternating stressed and unstressed elements; "the rhythm of Frost's poetry" [syn: speech rhythm]
5: natural family planning in which ovulation is assumed to occur 14 days before the onset of a period (the fertile period would be assumed to extend from day 10 through day 18 of her cycle) [syn: rhythm method of birth control, rhythm method, calendar method of birth control, calendar method]

Based on WordNet 2.0

Rhythm : \Rhythm\, n. [F. rhythme, rythme, L. rhythmus, fr. Gr. ??? measured motion, measure, proportion, fr. "rei^n 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.

Based on WordNet (r) 2.0 (August 2003)
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