A word or phrase inserted into a line of poetry to fill space or maintain rhythm, even though it doesn't add meaning—essentially poetic filler.
From French cheville meaning 'peg' or 'pin,' because like a peg holding something in place, a cheville holds the meter together without contributing substance.
Poets hate chevillles—they're the literary equivalent of saying 'um' or 'like' constantly—but they're so useful for fixing rhythm that even Shakespeare probably used them occasionally, which is why finding a cheville in a famous poem feels like discovering a secret shortcut.
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