catalectic

adjective cat·a·lec·tic \ˌka-tə-ˈlek-tik\

Definition of CATALECTIC

: lacking a syllable at the end of a line in metrical verse or ending in an incomplete foot

— catalectic noun

Late Latin catalecticus, from Greek katalēktikos, from katalēgein to leave off, from kata- + lēgein to stop — more at slack

First Known Use: 1589

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