caesura

noun cae·su·ra \si-ˈzyu̇r-ə, -ˈzhu̇r-\

plural cae·suras or cae·su·rae\-ˈzyu̇r-(ˌ)ē, -ˈzhu̇r-\

Definition of CAESURA

in modern prosody : a usually rhetorical break in the flow of sound in the middle of a line of verse

Greek & Latin prosody : a break in the flow of sound in a verse caused by the ending of a word within a foot

: a pause marking a rhythmic point of division in a melody

— cae·su·ral \-ˈzyu̇r-əl, -ˈzhu̇r-\ adjective

See caesura defined for kids

Late Latin, from Latin, act of cutting, from caedere to cut

First Known Use: 1556

Next Word in the Dictionary: caeteris paribusPrevious Word in the Dictionary: caestusAll Words Near: caesura

What made you want to look up caesura? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Put-downs with flair

How to use a word that (literally) drives some people nuts.

Test your vocab with our fun, fast game

Ailurophobia, and 9 other unusual fears