[ca.dence] n [ME, fr. OIt cadenza, fr. cadere to fall, fr. L--more at chance] (14c) 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 usu. falling strain; specif: 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 esp. in nature -- ca.denced adj -- ca.den.tial adj