peak (adj./n.)

In PHONETICS and PHONOLOGY, a term used to characterize a relatively high level of PROMINENCE; opposed to valley or trough. In METRICAL GRID theory, peaks (v. troughs) are RHYTHM prominences. A TROCHAIC rhythm starts with a left-edge peak or a right-edge trough; an IAMBIC rhythm starts with a left-edge trough or a right-edge peak. In OPTIMALITY THEORY, the peak constraint requires that syllables have a vowel.