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Webster 1913 Edition

Adj.

[L.

catalecticus

, Gr. [GREEK] incomplete, fr. [GREEK] to leave off;

κατά

down, wholly +

λήγειν

to stop.]

(Pros.)

Wanting a syllable at the end, or terminating in an imperfect foot;

as, a

catalectic

verse

(Photog. & Chem.)

Incomplete; partial; not affecting the whole of a substance.

Abney.

Adj.

Pertaining to metrical composition, or to measure.

Catalectic verses, are such as want either feet or syllables.