koormusreiime

Koormusreiime is a term used in Estonian poetics to describe a class of rhymes whose identity is anchored in the weight or stress of syllables rather than solely in matching endings. The word combines koormus, meaning weight or load, with reime, meaning rhyme. In practice, koormusreiime involves aligning rhyming segments with stressed positions within lines, producing a cadence that highlights heavier syllables.

The concept is typically discussed in the context of prosodic analysis and experimental form. Characteristics include the association of rhyme with syllabic weight, potential for internal or cross-line rhymes, and a reading practice that emphasizes rhythm and accent over traditional terminal rhyme patterns. Koormusreiime can occur in free verse as well as in metrically playful passages, where the audible effect relies on the timing of stress rather than on end-of-line rhyme alone. Analysts often examine how line breaks, tempo, and the distribution of stress interact to make a pair of lines feel rhymed by weight.

Relation to other sonic devices is an important part of the description. Koormusreiime relates to alliteration, assonance, and consonance, but it is distinguished by its focus on the interaction between rhyme and prosodic weight. It is used as a tool for creating rhythmical cohesion and for highlighting certain syllables within a line.

In contemporary Estonian criticism, koormusreiime is discussed as a mechanism for rhythmic experimentation within poetry, helping readers perceive how prosody shapes perceived rhyme and musicality. See also Estonian poetry, prosody, and rhyme theory.