Cadence refers to the rhythmic flow of a sequence of sounds or words. It is often used in the context of music or poetry, where it describes the rise and fall of the tones or the rhythm of the phrasing. In a broader sense, cadence can also relate to any regular, repeating pattern of movement or behavior.
The term "cadence" originates from the Latin word cadentia, which means "a falling." It is derived from the verb cadere, meaning "to fall." This reflects the idea of a fall in pitch or tone in music and speech.