Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries. It is a way for people to express themselves through words and emotions. One of the most important aspects of poetry is rhyme. Rhyme is the repetition of similar sounds in words, and it is what gives poetry its musical quality. However, not all rhymes are the same. There are different types of rhymes, including broken rhyme. In this article, we will explore the definition and meaning of broken rhyme.
Definitions
Broken rhyme, also known as off-rhyme or slant rhyme, is a type of rhyme that involves words that have similar but not identical sounds. In broken rhyme, the vowel sounds or the consonant sounds are not exact matches. For example, the words “love” and “move” are considered to have a broken rhyme because the vowel sounds are not the same, even though they end with the same consonant sound.
Origin
The use of broken rhyme in poetry dates back to the Middle Ages. Poets like Geoffrey Chaucer and William Shakespeare used this technique in their works. It was a way for them to add variety and interest to their poetry and to break away from the strict rules of traditional rhyme.
Meaning in different dictionaries
According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, broken rhyme is “a rhyme in which the vowel sounds are similar but not identical, as in eyes, light, and time.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines it as “a rhyme in which the stressed vowels and any succeeding consonants are identical, but the preceding consonants are different, as in bend and hand.”
Associations
Broken rhyme is often associated with modern poetry and free verse. It is a way for poets to break away from traditional forms and create something new and unique. It is also associated with experimentation and creativity.
Synonyms
Some synonyms for broken rhyme include slant rhyme, half rhyme, imperfect rhyme, near rhyme, and off-rhyme.
Antonyms
The antonyms of broken rhyme are perfect rhyme and true rhyme. Perfect rhyme involves words that have identical vowel and consonant sounds, while true rhyme involves words that have identical vowel sounds.
The same root words
Broken rhyme is a combination of two words, “broken” and “rhyme.” The word “broken” refers to something that is not whole or complete, while the word “rhyme” refers to the repetition of similar sounds in words.
Example Sentences
- The poet used broken rhyme to create a sense of unease in the reader.
- The words “moon” and “spoon” have a broken rhyme.
- The use of broken rhyme in this poem adds to its modern and experimental feel.
- The poet intentionally used broken rhyme to create a sense of dissonance in the reader.
- The words “love” and “move” have a broken rhyme because the vowel sounds are not identical.