weak ending

American  

noun

Prosody.

1. a verse ending in which the metrical stress falls on a word or syllable that would not be stressed in natural utterance, as a preposition, the object of which is carried over to the next line.

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Etymology

Origin of weak ending

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

It’s a weak ending for what is, in places, a strong book.

From New York Times • Jan. 14, 2014

She finds this story—an unusual story, rather badly written, with a very weak ending.

From Betty Wales, Sophomore by Warde, Margaret

One might sum up the Stepmother as a weak ending to a strong beginning.

From Balzac by Lawton, Frederick

Prof. Ingram gave the name weak ending to certain words on which it is scarcely possible to dwell at all, and which, therefore, precipitate the line which they close into the following.

From Shakespearean Tragedy Lectures on Hamlet, Othello, King Lear, Macbeth by Bradley, A. C. (Andrew Cecil)

Further, in the calculations involved, there are many doubtful cases calling for the exercise of individual judgment, especially as to what constitutes a run-on line, or a light or weak ending.

From The Facts About Shakespeare by Nielson, William Allan