Hexamerous

[Gr. hez, and motos, part.) ( Bot. ) In sixths, or sixth parts. Hexameter, n. [Fr. hex amètre; Gr. nez, and metron, a measure, a verse, a metrical line.] ( Pros.) The commonest and most important form of dactylic verse used among the ancient Greeks and Romans. It was termed hexameter in consequence of its consisting of six feet, either dactyls or spondees, which could be used indifferently throughout the verse, with two exceptions: that the last foot must be invariably a spondee, and the last but one a dactyl. In a few rare cases, either to vary the rhythm, or to produce some special effect, a spondee is introduced in the fifth foot, when the line is denominated a spondaic line. Hexametric, Hexametrical, a. Consisting of six metrical feet.