Alliterative meter is the rhythmic pattern that employs repetition of consonant sounds, specifically the initial sounds, in neighboring stressed syllables. It is a significant feature of Old English poetry which abides by strict lineation and cleaves to the peculiarities of Germanic phonology. Alternatives to the term include alliterative verse, which specifically refers to the type of poetry that makes use of the alliterative meter. Other words like assonant meter, consonant rhyme, and initial rhyme might be used to describe this type of poetic meter in other contexts and linguistic cultures. These synonyms can help broaden the readers' understanding and appreciation of alliterative meter, allowing them to compare and contrast with other poetic forms.