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Adonic line
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Adonic line

poetry
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The term "Adonic" has two primary meanings, both stemming from the mythological figure Adonis.

As an adjective, it can mean exceptionally handsome, referring to someone with Adonis-like features. It can also describe a specific poetic rhythm, known as Adonic verse, which consists of a dactyl followed by a spondee or trochee.1

As a noun, an "adonic" refers to a verse that has this particular Adonic rhythm. The term has been in use since at least 1579 for the poetic sense and 1671 for the descriptive sense.21

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