caesura Hear it!

caesura Definition

cae·sura (si zyo̵or′ə, -z̸ho̵or′ə)

noun pl. caesuras -·ras or caesurae -·rae (-ē)

  1. a break or pause in a line of verse: in Greek and Latin verse, the caesura falls within the metrical foot; in English verse, it is usually about the middle of the line and is shown in scanning by the sign ∥
  2. Music a break or pause in the meter of a composition

Etymology: L, a cutting < pp. of caedere, to cut down: see -cide

Related Forms:

caesura Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • call: This strong stress marks the division of the line into two parts and this division is called the caesura ( la césure ).