Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Metrically complete: In poetry, describes a line of verse that is metrically complete, especially one having the full number of syllables in its final metrical foot.

2. Noun:

   • A complete line of verse: In prosody, a line of verse that has the full number of syllables, as opposed to a catalectic or brachycatalectic line.

Usage

• Adjective:
  • Used to describe a line of poetry that is not missing any syllables in its metrical pattern.
  • Typically used in technical discussions of poetic meter and scansion.
• Noun:
  • Used to refer to a specific line of poetry that is metrically complete.

Examples

• Adjective:
  • The final line of the stanza is acatalectic, providing a strong, resolved ending.
  • An acatalectic iambic pentameter line contains exactly ten syllables.
• Noun:
  • The poet chose to end the sonnet with an acatalectic.
  • Scanning the poem, she identified the acatalectics and the catalectic lines.

Advanced Usage

• Technical Prosodic Analysis: The term is primarily used in the academic or technical analysis of poetic form to specify metrical completeness. It is the opposite of "catalectic" (lacking one syllable in the final foot) and "hypercatalectic" or "brachycatalectic" (having an extra syllable).

Variants and Related Words

• Catalectic (adj.): (Of a line of verse) lacking one syllable in the last metrical foot.
• Hypercatalectic/Brachycatalectic (adj.): (Of a line of verse) having an extra syllable beyond the complete metrical pattern.
• Prosody (n.): The study of meter, rhythm, and intonation in poetry.

Synonyms

• Metrically complete
• Full (in the context of meter)

Antonyms

• Catalectic
• Brachycatalectic / Hypercatalectic

Related Terms and Concepts

• Meter: The rhythmic structure of a verse, defined by patterns of stressed and unstressed syllables.
• Foot: A basic unit of meter in poetry, such as an iamb or trochee.
• Scansion: The analysis of a poem's metrical pattern.

Adjective

1. (verse) metrically complete; especially having the full number of syllables in the final metrical foot

Noun

1. (prosody) a line of verse that has the full number of syllables