Abstract
Recent metrical literature has hosted a long debate over the size of the metrical foot in quantity-sensitive trochaic languages. Latin in particular has been largely studied as a paradigm system where quantity-sensitivity governs stress rule, thus giving rise to trochaic feet. Although there are some scholars claiming that the quantitative trochee was the only metrical pattern available for Latin, there is clear evidence supporting the idea that uneven trochees were possible too. While foot minimality of two moras is well supported by the empirical data (cf. the lack of light monosyllables), foot maximality of two moras is not. The occurrence of trapped' syllables in different lexical and morphological structures indicates that (HL) was a well-formed foot in Latin. On the other hand, the selection of the allomorphs in verbal and nominal inflection obeys the bimoraicity requirement in certain forms only, while in many others uneven trochees appear.
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