Definition of the word feminine rhyme

The term "feminine rhyme" refers to a specific type of poetic rhyme that originated in medieval French poetry. In this form of rhyme, the final syllable of a word is unstressed or "feminine," meaning it does not carry the emphasis or weight of the penultimate, or second-last, syllable. The use of feminine rhymes in French poetry can be traced back to the 13th century, where the damsel-poets, or "trouvères," used this convention to create a softer and more delicate rhyming pattern. The emphasis on unstressed syllables not only created a lighter and more delicate sound but also provided space for longer lines, enabling the poets to incorporate more words in their compositions. This form of rhyme continued to evolve during the Renaissance, where French and English poets picked up the practice, incorporating it into their own works. In English, this type of rhyme is known as "feminine endings," and it is commonly found in couplets, which use two lines to form a single rhyme. Today, the use of feminine rhymes is still prevalent in poetry, particularly in the English-speaking world. Some examples of famous works that make use of this form of rhyme include Elizabeth Barrett Browning's "Sonnet XLIV" and Emily Dickinson's "Because I could not stop for Death." In summary, "feminine rhyme" is a term used to describe a type of rhyme prevalent in medieval French poetry, where the final syllable of a word is unstressed, creating a lighter and more delicate sound, allowing space for longer lines, and continuing to be used by poets today.