What is the name of a metrical line that consists of five feet?

A metrical line that consists of five feet is known as pentameter. In poetry, a "foot" refers to the basic unit of measurement of accentual-syllabic meter, which typically consists of a combination of stressed and unstressed syllables. Therefore, when we say a line is in pentameter, we are indicating that it comprises five such feet, contributing to the overall rhythm and pacing of the poem.

For example, iambic pentameter, which is commonly used in English poetry, consists of five iambs—each iamb being a foot made up of one unstressed syllable followed by a stressed syllable. This structure adds a musical quality and formality to the poetry, making it particularly effective for narratives or dramatic works, as evidenced in the works of Shakespeare.

The other terms represent different quantities of feet per line: tetrameter has four feet, hexameter has six feet, and octameter has eight feet. Understanding these distinctions is crucial for analyzing and appreciating the rhythmic structure of poetry.