Catalectic: A type of verse termed by george puttenham in 1589 'maimed' because it is missing a syllable in the last foot. An acatalectic verse is complete. A hypercatalectic line has an extra syllable. The three types can be seen below in the last foot of this tercet: hamlet cries his mother's tainted. Gertrude nearly falls down, faint. Hamlet's father swears, unsaintly, he.

 

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Catalectic: A type of verse termed by george puttenham in 1589 'maimed' because it is missing a syllable in the last foot. An acatalectic verse is complete. A hypercatalectic line has an extra syllable. . . . View Full Definition

Hypercatalectic: A hypercatalectic line is a line of poetry with extra syllables in it beyond the expected number due to anacrusis, as opposed to a acatalectic line (which is missing one or more expected syl . . . View Full Definition

Acatalectic: A 'normal' line of poetry with the expected number of syllables in each line, as opposed to a catalectic line (which is missing an expected syllable) or a hypercatalectic line (which has one . . . View Full Definition

Catalexis: In poetry, a catalectic line is shortened or truncated so that unstressed syllables drop from a line. If catalexis occurs at the start of a line, that line is said to be acephalous or headle . . . View Full Definition