資料來源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Rhyme \Rhyme\, n. [OE. ryme, rime, AS. r[=i]m number; akin to
OHG. r[=i]m number, succession, series, G. reim rhyme. The
modern sense is due to the influence of F. rime, which is of
German origin, and originally the same word.] [The Old
English spelling {rime} is becoming again common. See Note
under {Prime}.]
1. An expression of thought in numbers, measure, or verse; a
composition in verse; a rhymed tale; poetry; harmony of
language. ``Railing rhymes.'' --Daniel.
A ryme I learned long ago. --Chaucer.
He knew Himself to sing, and build the lofty rime.
--Milton.
2. (Pros.) Correspondence of sound in the terminating words
or syllables of two or more verses, one succeeding another
immediately or at no great distance. The words or
syllables so used must not begin with the same consonant,
or if one begins with a vowel the other must begin with a
consonant. The vowel sounds and accents must be the same,
as also the sounds of the final consonants if there be
any.
For rhyme with reason may dispense, And sound has
right to govern sense. --Prior.
3. Verses, usually two, having this correspondence with each
other; a couplet; a poem containing rhymes.
4. A word answering in sound to another word.
{Female rhyme}. See under {Female}.
{Male rhyme}. See under {Male}.
{Rhyme or reason}, sound or sense.
{Rhyme royal} (Pros.), a stanza of seven decasyllabic verses,
of which the first and third, the second, fourth, and
fifth, and the sixth and seventh rhyme.