catalectic Hear it!

catalectic definition

cata·lec·tic (kat′ə lek′tik)

adjective

Prosody lacking a syllable, esp. in the last foot

Etymology: LL catalecticus < Gr katalēktikos < kata-, down + lēgein, to leave off, cease < IE base *(s)lēg-, loose > slack, L laxus

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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