noun
- lines of verse containing eight syllables each
Usage: poetry; prosody
Examples
- The poem was written entirely in octosyllables.
- French classical poetry often employs octosyllables.
- She practiced writing octosyllables for her poetry class.
- The ballad’s octosyllables gave it a steady rhythm.
- Many nursery rhymes are composed of octosyllables.
- The poet preferred octosyllables to longer verse forms.