Heptameter is defined as having how many metrical feet?

Heptameter is defined as a line of poetry consisting of seven metrical feet. Each metrical foot can be made up of various patterns of stressed and unstressed syllables, depending on the specific form of poetry being used. Seven feet in a line gives heptameter its name, derived from the Greek word 'hepta,' meaning seven. This structure allows for a rhythmic flow that can create a grand or formal tone in poetry, distinguishing it from other metrics such as pentameter, which has five feet, or hexameter, which has six. Understanding this definition is crucial for analyzing poetry, as the number of feet can greatly influence the lyrical quality and overall effect of a poem.