Rhyssodidæ (risodide)

pl. [NL. (Erichson, 1845), IMG:content-2235.png:[blocks in formation] IMG:content-2236.jpg:[graphic] see rheum1. The word rhythm, variously spelled, was formerly much confused with rime, which thus came to be spelled rhyme: see rimel.] 1. Movement in time, characterized by equality of measures and by alternation of tension (stre ) and relaxation. The word rhythm (ρυθμός) means 'flow,' and, by development from this sense, uniform movement, perceptible as such, and accordingly divisible into measures, the measures marked by the recurrence of stre .' Examples of rhythm, in its stricter sense, in nature are respiration and the beating of the pulse, also the effect produced on the ear by the steady dripping of water. The three arts regulated by rhythm are music, metrics, and, according to the ancients, orchestic, or the art of rhythmical bodily movement. Rhythm in language is meter. The term was further extended to sculpture, etc. (compare def. 5), as when a writer speaks of "the rhythm of Myron's Discobolus." We have here the three principal applications of rhythm, three principal domains in which rhythm manifests its nature and power-dancing, music, poetry. J. Hadley, E ays, p. 81. 2. In music: ( a ) That characteristic of all composition which depends on the regular succe ion of relatively heavy and light accents, beats, or pulses; accentual structure in the abstract. Strictly speaking, the organic partition of a piece into equal measures, and also the distribution of long and short tones within measures, in addition to the formation of larger divisions, like phrases, sections, etc., are matters of meter, because they have to do primarily with time-values; while everything that concerns accent and accentual groups is more fitly arranged under rhythm. But this distinction is or 5162 rhythm; dactylic rhythm. In ancient metrics, rhythm is is or rhythmic, direct, or dochmiac (see the phrases below), or belongs to a subdivision of these. (c) A measure or foot. (d) Verse, as opposed to prose. See rimel.-4. In physics and physiol., succe ion of alternate and opposite or cor relative states. nate. The longer astronomic rhythm , known as the earth's annual revolution, causes corresponding rhythms in vegetable and animal life: witne the blo oming and leafing of plants in the spring, the revival of insect activity at the same season, the periodic flights of migratory birds, the hybernating sleep of many vertebrates, and the thickened coats or the altered habits of others that do not hyberJ. Fiske , Cosmic Philos., I. 307. 5. In the graphic and plastic arts , a proper relation and interdependence of parts with reference to each other and to an artistic whole. Ascending rhythm. See ascending. - Descending or falling rhythm. See descending. - Direct rhythm, in anc. metrics, rhythm in which the number of times or moræ in the thesis of the foot differs from that in the arsis by one. Direct rhythm includes diplasic, hemiolic, and epitritic rhythm, these having a pedal ratio (prop or4 respectively: opposed to dochmiac rhythm. -Dochmiac rhythm, in anc . metrics , rhythm in which the number of times in the arsis differs from that in the thesis by more Dochmiac rhythm in this wider sense includes tion of moræ in arsis and thesis) of 1 to 2, 2 to 3, and 3 to dochmiac rhythm in the narrower sense (that is, the econd indiscriminadexactly rhythm of the dochmius, which has a pedal ratio of 3 to the reverse sense to the above. (See meter2.) In any case, in musical analysis, rhythm and meter are coördinate with melody and harmony in the abstract sense. (b) A particular accentual pattern typical of all the measures of a given piece or movement. Such patterns or rhythms are made up of accents, beats, or pulses of equal duration, but of different dynamic importance. A rhythm of two beats to the measure is often called a two-part rhythm; one of three beats, a three part rhythm, etc. Almost all rhythms may be reduced to two principal kinds: duple or two-part, consisting of a heavy accent or beat and a light one (often called march 5), and triplasic rhythm , characterized by a pedal ratio of 1 to 3.- Double rhythm. Same as duple rhythm. See def. 2.- Equal rhythm, is or rhythmic rhythm, in anc. metrics, rhythm in which the number of times in the thesis and arsis is equal. Also called dactylic rhythm.Imperfect rhythm. Same as imperfect measure. See imperfect . Oblique rhythm. Same as dochmiac rhythm. =Syn. 2. Melody , Harmony , etc. See euphony. rhythmert (rih'- or rith'mer), n. [ rhythm + -er1.] A rimer; a poetaster. One now scarce counted for a rhythmer , formerly admitted for a poet. Fuller . ( Imp . Dict .) rhythm or common time ); and triple or three-part, consist rhythmic (rith'mik), a.andn. [ F.rhythmi que rhythm). The accent or beat with which a rhythm begins= Pr. rithmic, rithimic = Sp. rítmico =Pg. rhythis called the primary accent. Its place is marked in writmico = It. ritmico, μική, sc. τέχνη), a duple rhythm is replaced by duple secondary groups, a I. a. Same as rhythmical. four-part or quadruple rhythm is produced, or if by triple secondary groups, a six-part or sextuple rhythm (first variety). By a similar proce of replacement, from a triple rhythm may be derived a six-part or sextuple rhythm (second variety) and a nine-part or nonuple rhythm; and from a quadruple rhythm, an eight-part or octuple rhythm and a twelve-part or do decuple rhythm. The constituent groups of compound rhythms always retain the relative importance of the simple part from which they are derived. The above eight rhythms are all that are ordinarily used, though quintuple, septuple, decuple, and other rhythms occasionally appear, usually in isolated groups of tones. (See quintuplet, septuplet, decimole, etc.) In ancient music a measure did not nece arily begin a beat, and the rhythms were the same as those indicated in metrics below (3 (b)). While all music is constructed on these pat terns, the pattern is not always shown in the tones or chords as sounded. The time-value of one or more parts may be supplied by a silence or rest. A single tone or chord may be made to include two or more parts, especially in compound rhythms; and thus every po ible combination of long and short tones occurs within each rhythm. When a weak accent is thus made to coalesce with a following heavier one, especially if the latter is a primary accent, the rhythm is syncopated. (See syncopation.) The regularity of a rhythm is maintained by counting or beating time that is, marking each part by a word or motion, with a suitable difference of emphasis between the heavy and the light accents. In written music the rhythm of a piece or movement is indicated at the outset by the rhythmical signature (which see, under rhythmical). The speed of a rhythm in a given case - that is, the time-value a igned to each measure and part-is called its tempo (which see). Rhythm and tempo are wholly independent in the abstract, but the tempo of a given piece is approximately fixed. Although regularity and definitene of rhythm are characteristic of all music, various influences tend to modify and obliterate its form. The metrical patterns of succe ive measures often differ widely from the typical rhythmic pattern and from each other. Except in very rudimentary music, purely rhythmic accents are constantly superseded by accents belonging to figures and phrases-that is, to units of higher degree than measures. Indeed, in advancing from rudimentary to highly artistic music, rhythmic patterns become le and le apparent, though furnishing everywhere a firm and continuous accentual groundwork. Rhythm is often loosely called time. Also called proportion. The working of the law whence springs The rhythmic harmony of things. Whittier , Questions of Life. Rhythmic chorea, that form of chorea in which the movements take place at definite intervals. II. n . Same as rhythmics . The student of ancient rhythmic is not oppre ed by the extent of his authorities. J. Hadley, E ays, p. 86. rhythmical (rith'mi-kal), a. [ rhythmical movement of marching or of a dance. Honest agitators have been moved, by pa ionate zeal for their several causes, to outbursts of rhythmical expre ion. Stedman, Vict. Poets, p. 29. 2. In physics and physiol., pertaining to or constituting a succe ion of alternate and opposite or correlative states. This rhythmical movement, impelling the filaments in an undeviating onward course, is greatly influenced by temperature and light. W. B. Carpenter , Micros., vi. § 246. 3. In med ., periodical.-4. In the graphic and plastic arts , properly proportioned or balanced. - Rhythmical signature, in musical notation , a sign placed at the beginning of a piece, after the key-signature, to indicate its rhythm or time. (Also called signature.) It consists of two numerals placed one above the other on each staff, the upper numeral indicating the number of principal beats or pulses to the measure, and the lower the kind of note which in the given piece is a igned to each beat. (See rhythm and notel , 13.) Thus, indicates quadruple rhythm, four beats to the measure, each beat marked by a quarter-note, d, or its equivalent. Difference of rhythm is unfortunately not always indicated by difference of rhythmic signature; and difference of signature often means only an une ential difference of notes rather than of rhythm. Thus, duple rhythm may be marked either by,,,, or 1; triple rhythm, by,,,; quadruple rhythm, by 1, 4, 4, 4; sextuple rhythm (first variety), by; sextuple rhythm (second variety), met-by, octuple rhythm, by 3, 4, 4; nonuple rhythin, 3. In metrics: ( a ) Succe ion of times divisible into measures with theses and arses; rical movement. Theoretically, all spoken language po e es rhythm, but the name is distinctively given to that which is not too complicated to be easily perceived as such. Rhythm, so limited, is indispensable in metrical composition, but is regarded as inappropriate in prose, except in elevated style and in oratory, and even in these only in the way of vague suggestion, unle in certain pa ages of special character. Rhythm... is of course governed by law, but it is a law which transcends subtlety the conscious art of the spired moods. Encyc . Brit ., XIX. 262. 2,4, by; do decuple rhythm, by. Most of the varieties of duple and quadruple signatures are often written simply C, common; when duple rhythm is to be distinguished from quadruple, this sign is changed to, or the words all a breve are added. The rhythmical signature is not repeated on succe ive braces. A decided change of rhythm is marked by a new signature; but the isolated intrusion of a foreign rhythm, especially in a short melodic group, is usually marked by a curve and an inclosed numeral, as,. See triplet, quartole, quintuplet, etc. metricist, and is only caught by the poet in his most in rhythmicality (rith-mi-kal'i-ti), n. [ mical + -ity.] Rhythmic property; the fact or rhythmist (rith'mist), n. 1. One who composes in rhythm; a rhythmi- cal composer. I have a right to reaffirm, and to show by many ill us- trations, that he [Swinburne) is the most sovereign of rhythmists. Stedman, Vict. Poets, p. 381. 2. One versed in the theory of rhythm; a writer on the science of rhythmics. rhythmize (rith'miz), v. I. trans . To subject to rhythm; use in rhyth- mic composition: as, to rhythmize tones or words. chestic. rhythmle (rium'les), a . [ rhythm + -le .] Destitute of rhythm. Cole ridge . ( Imp . Dict .) rhythmometer (rith-mom'e-ter), n. [ μέτρου , measure.] chine for marking rhythm for music; a metro- IMG:content-2237.jpg:[ocr errors] nome. Mind, XLI. 57. rhythmopœia (rith-mō-pē'yä), n. [NL., ing rhythmically; the art of rhythmic composition. The fixing of 2 to 1 as the precise numerical relation was probably the work of rhythmopœia , or of rhythmopœia and melopœia together. J. Hadley, E ays, p. 264.