septenarius

Septenarius, sep-te-nā′ri-us, n. in Latin prosody, a verse consisting of seven feet.

In various modified forms, the septenarius was a favourite measure throughout the Middle English period.

Trochaic Septenarius, B. 366, 2; A. & G. 620: Selections 6, 7.

Latin septenarius, 259; relation to ballad metre, 264.

In the thrilling scene in the Captives of Plautus, for example, where Tyndarus is in mortal terror lest the trick which he has played on his master, Hegio, may be discovered, and he be consigned to work in chains in the quarries, the verse is the trochaic septenarius.