Acatalectic

/ˌækətəˈlɛktɪk/ adjective

Definition

In poetry and meter, having all the syllables necessary to complete the final metrical foot; not catalectic.

Etymology

From a- (not) + catalectic (incomplete, from Greek katalektikos meaning incomplete). Used in prosody since the Renaissance to describe complete lines of verse.

Kelly Says

An acatalectic line is metrically 'complete'—it has all its expected syllables, unlike a catalectic line which is intentionally short, and poets use this device to create rhythm and emphasis!

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