First Known Use: 14th century
Dictionary
cadence
noun ca·dence \ˈkā-dən(t)s\
: a regular beat or rhythm
: the way a person's voice changes by gently rising and falling while he or she is speaking
: an ending part of a piece of music
Full Definition of CADENCE
1
a : a rhythmic sequence or flow of sounds in language b : the beat, time, or measure of rhythmical motion or activity
2
a : a falling inflection of the voice b : a concluding and usually falling strain; specifically : a musical chord sequence moving to a harmonic close or point of rest and giving the sense of harmonic completion
3
: the modulated and rhythmic recurrence of a sound especially in nature
— ca·denced \-dən(t)st\ adjective
— ca·den·tial \kā-ˈden(t)-shəl\ adjective
See cadence defined for English-language learners
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Origin of CADENCE
Middle English, from Old Italian cadenza, from cadere to fall, from Latin — more at chance
CADENCED Defined for Kids
cadence
noun ca·dence \ˈkā-dəns\
Definition of CADENCE for Kids
: a regular beat or rhythm <We heard the steady cadence of the drums.>
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