What is the term for a regular pattern of stresses and unstressed syllables in language?

The correct term for a regular pattern of stresses and unstressed syllables in language is "meter." Meter serves as the structured rhythm of poetry and prose, guiding the cadence of a piece through a specific arrangement of syllables. It provides a framework that can enhance the musicality of language, making it more engaging and memorable for the reader or listener.

While "rhythm" refers more generally to the flow and movement in language, meter specifically denotes the organized, repetitive pattern that can be identified and analyzed within a text. Rhyme pertains to the correspondence of sounds at the ends of lines in verse, and "verse" refers to a single line of poetry or a group of lines that often emphasizes meter and rhyme.

Thus, the term "meter" accurately captures the essence of a consistent framework of stressed and unstressed syllables, which is crucial in both the study and creation of poetic forms.