n.
Pronunciation: ' k ā -d ə n(t)s
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old Italian cadenza, from cadere to fall, from Latin ― more at CHANCE
Date: 14th century
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 \ -d ə n(t)st \ adjective
– ca · den · tial \ k ā - ' den(t)-sh ə l \ adjective