in poetry, is applied to a kind of verse which rhime at every hemistich, the middle always chiming to the end. Of which kind we find several ancient hymns, epigrams, prophecies, &c.—For instance, Muretus speaking of the poetry of Lorenzo Gambara of Brescia, says,

Brixia, vestris merdosa volumina vatis, Non sunt nostrates tergere digna natis.

The following one is from the school of Salernum:

Ut vites ponam de poitibus incipe coenam.

The origin of the word is somewhat obscure: Pasquier derives it from one Leoninus or Leonius, who excelled in this way; and dedicated several pieces to Pope Alexander III.; others derive it from Pope Leo; and others from the beast called lion, by reason it is the loftiest of all verses.