scansion

 
Pronunciation: /ˈskanʃ(ə)n/

noun

[mass noun]
  • the action of scanning a line of verse to determine its rhythm: the verse defies easy scansion
  • the rhythm of a line of verse: triple scansion

Origin:

mid 17th century: from Latin scansio(n-), from scandere 'to climb'; compare with scan