1. The omission of one or more syllables from the end of a metrical line, especially in classical verse.
Usage: technical term in prosody and poetry; from Greek kata- (down) + lexis (leaving)

Examples

• The final line of the stanza exhibits catalexis, dropping the expected unstressed syllable.
• In classical Latin poetry, catalexis was a common device to create rhythmic variation.
• The poet used catalexis to shorten the closing couplet and emphasize its finality.
• Understanding catalexis is essential for scanning ancient Greek dramatic verse.
• The incomplete final foot demonstrates catalexis in this iambic pentameter passage.