Describing a line of poetry that is missing the final two syllables that would normally complete it.
From di- (two) + catalectic (from Greek katalegein, to end/fall short). Combining Greek prefix meaning two syllables short + incomplete line. Used since ancient Greek prosody.
Poets used dicatalectic lines intentionally for dramatic effect—leaving off those final syllables creates a sense of incompleteness that matches the poem's mood!
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