sb. and a. Pros. Also 6 trymeter, 8 trimetre. [ad. L. trimetrus adj. and sb., a. Gr. τρίμετρος adj., f. τρι-, TRI- + μέτρον measure (see METRE sb.1 4).]
A. sb. A verse of three measures; i.e., in trochaics, iambics, or anapæstics, of three dipodies (= six feet); in other rhythms, of three feet; esp. the iambic trimeter, the usual verse of the dialogue in ancient Greek plays.
1567. Drant, Horace, Art Poetry, A viij. The foote of Syllabs shorte and long Iambus hath to name … and trymeter the verse (which of the same Consists) is cawld.
a. 1637. B. Jonson, Horace, Art Poetrie, 381. This foot yet, in the famous trimeters Of Accius and Ennius, rare appeares.
1789. T. Twining, Aristotle’s Treat. Poetry (1812), II. 445. The hexameter is but one third longer than the Iambic trimeter; their respective times being 24, and 18.
1850. Browning, Christmas Eve, xviii. Or Turklike brandishing a scimetar O’er anapæsts in comic-trimeter.
1859. Sat. Rev., 20 Aug., 225/2. Mr. Whyte and … Mr. Thomas … have translated the Inferno into English trimeters.
B. adj. Of a verse: Consisting of three measures.
1706. Phillips (ed. Kersey), Trimetrum,… a Trimeter Verse of three Measures, an Iambick of six Feet.
1886. C. A. Briggs, Messianic Proph., V. 143. Psalm xviii … is of eight strophes, of fourteen trimeter lines each.
