Rhythm may be defined as measured or timed movements, regulated succession. In order that a number of parts may constitute a pleasing whole, a certain relation or proportion must be felt to pervade them, and this exemplified in the arrangement of matter into visible objects, as in sculpture, architecture, and other plastic arts, produces a rhythm which is usually called symmetry. Rhythm applied to the movements of the body produces the dance. 'The rhythmical arrangement of sounds not articulated produces music, while from the like arrangement of articulate sounds we get the cadences of prose, and the measures of verse. Verse may be defined as a succession of articulate sounds, regulated by a rhythm so definite that we can readily foresee the results which follow from its application. Rhythm is also met with in prose; but in the latter its range is so wide that we never can anticipate its flow, while the pleasure we derive from verse is founded on this very anticipation.'
The rhythm of verse is marked in various ways. In Greek and Latin, during their classic periods, quantity, or the regulated succession of long and short syllables, was the distinguishing mark of verse. In the languages descended from these the rhythm depends upon accent. The recurrence of similar sounds, or rime, is also used, along with accent, to render certain points of the rhythm more distinct, as well as to embellish it. See METRE, RHYME.