catalexis

American  

[kat-l-ek-sis] / ˌkæt lˈɛk sɪs /

noun

Prosody.

• catalexes
  plural

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.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• catalexes
  plural

Etymology

Origin of catalexis

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

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

catalexis

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 The Rhythm of Life by Alice Christiana Thompson Meynell

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 English Verse Specimens Illustrating its Principles and History by Raymond MacDonald Alden

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 The Unknown Eros by Coventry Kersey Dighton Patmore