Cae*su"ra (?), n.; pl. E. Caesuras (), L. Caesurae () [L. caesura a cutting off, a division, stop, fr. caedere, caesum, to cut off. See Concise.]
A metrical break in a verse, occurring in the middle of a foot and commonly near the middle of the verse; a sense pause in the middle of a foot. Also, a long syllable on which the caesural accent rests, or which is used as a foot.
⇒ In the following line the caesura is between study and of.
The prop | er stud | y || of | mankind | is man.
© Webster 1913.