What term describes the rhythm of a piece of poetry as determined by the number and length of feet in a line?

The term that describes the rhythm of a piece of poetry, determined by the number and length of feet in a line, is "meter." Meter refers to the structured pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in poetry, which creates a rhythm that can vary in complexity and form depending on the style and intention of the poet. Understanding meter is essential because it helps to establish the pacing and emotional tone of the poem, affecting how it is read and experienced by the audience.

In contrast, "verse" is a broader term that refers to any single line of poetry or the body of writing composed in meter, but it does not specifically convey the rhythmic characteristics. "Beat" typically refers to the basic rhythmic unit in music or the pulse of a poem but lacks the specificity of meter regarding the structure of feet. "Stanza" denotes a grouped set of lines in a poem, which is more about organization rather than rhythm. Thus, meter is the precise term that encapsulates the rhythmic structure of a poetic line.