catalexis

cat·a·lex·is

C c

Transcription

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [kat-l-ek-sis]
- /ˌkæt lˈɛk sɪs/

- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- [kat-l-ek-sis]
- /ˌkæt lˈɛk sɪs/

Definitions of catalexis word

noun catalexis the state of lacking a syllable in the last foot of a line of poetry 3
noun plural catalexis the absence of a syllable at the beginning or end of a line of metrical verse resulting in an incomplete foot, most often occurring in the last foot at the end of a verse; a catalectic line. 1
noun catalexis The absence of a syllable in the last foot of a line or verse. 1
noun catalexis A shortened or incomplete last foot at the end of a verse. 0
noun catalexis Truncation at the close of a line of poetry by omission of one or two final syllables. 0

See all 5 definitions of catalexis

Information block about the term

Origin of catalexis

First appearance:

before 1820

One of the 38% newest English words

1820-30; < Greek katálēxis ending, final syllable; see catalectic, -sis

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Catalexis

noun

adjective

verb

adverb

pronoun

preposition

conjunction

determiner

exclamation

Full grammatical hierarchy of Catalexis

catalexis popularity

A pretty common term. Usually people know it’s meaning, but prefer to use a more spread out synonym. About 48% of English native speakers know the meaning and use word.

Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".

catalexis usage trend in Literature

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