Catalectic (or Catalexis) is where one or more unstressed syllables are missing from the end of a regular metrical line. Usually employed in trochaic or dactylic verse to avoid monotony. The terms derive from the Greek for 'stopping short'. Sometimes referred to as a truncated line. See acatalectic.
[adj] (verse) metrically incomplete; especially lacking one or more syllables in the final metrical foot