cadence
UK[ˈkeɪd(ə)ns]US[ˈkeɪd(ə)ns]
n
a regular rise and fall in the sound of a person's voice, especially in reading poetry or speaking
n
the end of a musical phrase or a set of chords that creates a sense of pause or resolution
n
a regular beat or rhythm, especially in marching or running
Morpheme Breakdown
cad
ence
cad
fall
ence
noun suffix
Etymology
The word 'cadence' originates from the Latin verb 'cadere', meaning 'to fall'. This root is also visible in English words like 'decadent' (falling down) and 'cascade' (a waterfall). In Medieval Latin, 'cadentia' referred to the 'falling' of the voice at the end of a musical phrase or a line of verse. Over time, this literal sense of a 'fall' evolved into the modern abstract meanings of rhythmic flow, modulation of the voice, and the concluding sequence of a musical passage, all of which imply a patterned descent or resolution.
Analysis
Structure: cad (fall) + ence (noun suffix)
'cad' is from Latin 'cadere' (to fall). '-ence' is a noun-forming suffix of Latin origin indicating a state, quality, or action.
Examples
The speaker's voice had a soothing, rhythmic cadence.
The piece ends with a perfect cadence, providing a sense of finality.
The soldiers marched in time to the steady cadence of the drum.