[pohl-terz] 
| a metrical pattern using couplets having the first line in iambic hexameter, or 12 syllables, and the second in iambic heptameter, or 14 syllables. |
| poul·ter's measure (pōl'tərz) n. A metrical pattern employing couplets in which the first line is in iambic hexameter and the second is in iambic heptameter. [From obsolete poulter, a poultry dealer (from the practice of giving a few extra eggs in the dozen), from Middle English pulter, from Old French pouletier; see poultry.] |
poulter's measure
a metre in which lines of 12 and 14 syllables alternate. Poulter is an obsolete variant of poulterer (poultry dealer); poulterers traditionally gave one or two extra eggs when selling by the dozen.
Learn more about poulter's measure with a free trial on Britannica.com.