caesura

Pronunciation

Noun B2 Upper-intermediate

A pause or break in the middle of a line of poetry, often marked by punctuation.

"The poet placed a caesura right after 'stop' to slow the reader down."

Usage notes

Usually marked in scansion with two vertical lines, like this: ||, at the point of the pause.

Which word fits the gap? "The poet placed a _____ right after 'stop' to slow the reader down."

Answer: caesura

In your own words, what does "caesura" mean?

A pause or break in the middle of a line of poetry, often marked by punctuation.