catalexis

[kat-l-ek-sis]

noun

Prosody.

plural

catalexes 

1. the absence of a syllable at the beginning or end of a line of metrical verse resulting in an incomplete foot, most often occurring in the last foot at the end of a verse; a catalectic line.

Word History and Origins

Origin of catalexis¹

1820–30; < Greek katálēxis ending, final syllable; catalectic, -sis

Example Sentences

Nearly all English metres," he said, "owe their existence as metres to 'catalexis,' or pause, for the time of one or more feet, and, as a rule, the position and amount of catalexis, are fixed.

From Project Gutenberg

Nearly all English metres owe their existence as metres to “catalexis,” or pause, for the time of one or more feet, and, as a rule, the position and amount of catalexis are fixed. 

From Project Gutenberg

Granting, however, his principle of catalexis, we still doubt whether the irregular metre of The Unknown Eros is happily used except for the large sweep of the flight of the Ode more properly so called. 

From Project Gutenberg