Half Rhyme

Etymology of Half Rhyme

The term “half rhyme” originated in the late 18th century, combining the prefix “half” to denote partial or imperfect, and “rhyme,” referring to the correspondence of sounds between words. Also known as slant rhyme or near rhyme, it describes a poetic technique where words have similar but not identical sounds at the end of their respective lines. Unlike perfect rhymes which involve exact matching sounds, it introduce subtle variations such as consonant similarities or slight vowel changes, creating a softer and more nuanced poetic effect.

Meanings of Half Rhyme

• Definition: Also known as slant rhyme or near rhyme, it refers to a type of poetic rhyme in which the ending sounds of two words are similar but not identical.
• Differences from Perfect Rhyme: Unlike perfect rhymes that involve the exact matching of sounds (e.g., “cat” and “hat”), they create a less precise correspondence between words.
• Sound Similarities: Half rhymes can include consonant similarities or slight vowel variations.
• Subtle and Nuanced: This technique adds a subtle and nuanced quality to the poem, often evoking a sense of tension or ambiguity.
• Unconventional: It has been widely used by poets to achieve unique and unconventional poetic effects.
• Versatility: It is a versatile tool in poetic composition, allowing poets to explore different patterns and styles while maintaining a poetic connection between words.

Half Rhyme in Grammar

Grammatically, it is a singular noun that takes a plural verb when referring to multiple instances of the concept. For example:

• “Half rhyme is a technique that many poets use.”
• “There are several examples of half rhyme in this poem.”

In both of these sentences, “half rhyme” is the subject and is treated as a singular noun, while “is” and “are” are the verbs that agree with the subject in number. However, when referring to multiple instances of half rhyme, the verb would be plural, as in:

• “These poems all contain half rhymes.” (where “contain” is a plural verb)

So, in short, “half rhyme” is a singular noun that can take either a singular or plural verb depending on the context.

Definition of Half Rhyme

Half rhyme is a literary device in which two words have similar consonant sounds at the end, but different vowel sounds. This technique creates a subtle, incomplete rhyme that can add complexity and texture to poetry or prose.

Types of Half Rhyme

Here are some common types of half rhyme:

Type	Explanation
Consonance	In consonance, the consonant sounds at the end of words are similar, but the vowel sounds may differ. For example, “milk” and “walk” have similar final “lk” sounds.
Assonance	Assonance involves the repetition of similar vowel sounds at the end of words, while the consonant sounds vary. For instance, “lake” and “late” share similar “ay” sounds.
Eye Rhyme	Eye rhyme is characterized by words that look like they should rhyme due to their spelling, but they have different pronunciations. For example, “move” and “love” have a similar ending, but their actual sounds differ.
Consonant Rhyme	In consonant rhyme, the final consonant sounds match, while the preceding vowel sounds differ. An example is “send” and “end.”
Pararhyme	Pararhyme is a type of half rhyme where the first and last consonants match, but the intervening vowel sound changes. For instance, “fall” and “full” share similar “f” and “l” sounds.
Unstressed Half Rhyme	This occurs when the final syllables of words have a similar sound in unstressed syllables, such as “forgotten” and “hasten.”

Literary Examples of Half Rhyme

Here are some common examples of half rhyme:

1. Consonance:
   • Poem: “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” by Robert Frost
   • Example: “The woods are lovely, dark, and deep” (“deep” and “sleep” have similar “p” and “e” sounds)
2. Assonance:
   • Poem: “The Raven” by Edgar Allan Poe
   • Example: “Once upon a midnight dreary, while I pondered, weak and weary” (“dreary” and “weary” share similar “ee” sounds)
3. Eye Rhyme:
   • Poem: Sonnet 18 by William Shakespeare
   • Example: “So long as men can breathe or eyes can see” (“see” and “be” look like they should rhyme, but they do not have the same pronunciation)
4. Consonant Rhyme:
   • Poem: “Fire and Ice” by Robert Frost
   • Example: “Some say the world will end in fire, some say in ice” (“fire” and “ice” share similar “ce” sounds)
5. Pararhyme:
   • Poem: “In Flanders Fields” by John McCrae
   • Example: “In Flanders fields the poppies blow” (“blow” and “flow” share similar “ow” sounds, while “b” and “fl” match in consonants)

These examples showcase how it is used in poetry to create subtle and evocative effects, contributing to the richness of poetic expression.

Suggested Readings

1. Abrams, M. H. A Glossary of Literary Terms. Cengage Learning, 2005.
2. Cushman, Stephen. The Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics. Princeton University Press, 2011.
3. Fussell, Paul. Poetic Meter and Poetic Form. Random House, 1965.
4. Hollander, John. Rhyme’s Reason: A Guide to English Verse. Yale University Press, 1981.
5. Preminger, Alex, et al., editors. The New Princeton Encyclopedia of Poetry and Poetics. Princeton University Press, 2005.
6. Turco, Lewis. The Book of Forms: A Handbook of Poetics. University Press of New England, 1986.