Definition

A pause in a line of poetry or music that occurs naturally, often to create a break in rhythm or to emphasize a point.

Example

The poet used a caesura to create a dramatic pause in the middle of the line.

Conversation

Have you ever noticed the caesura in that poem we read?

Yeah, it really changes the flow of the lines, doesn't it?

Exactly! That pause adds so much meaning to the words.

I agree, it makes you think more deeply about what the poet is trying to say.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Caesura is derived from the Latin word "caesura" (meaning a cutting or a pause). The term refers to a break or pause in a line of poetry, often used to create rhythm or emphasize a point. It originates from the verb "caedere" (meaning to cut).

Memory Tip

Think of a 'cutting' or 'pause' in poetry — that's what caesura means, a break that adds rhythm.

Visually Confused Words