Acatalectics

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Pertaining to a metrical composition that has a complete number of syllables or feet, thus not lacking any essential elements
2. Characterizing poetry or verse that maintains a full structure without omissions in its rhythm or meter
3. Describing work in literature where all necessary poetic components are present, enhancing the integrity of the piece

Etymology: "Acatalectics" is the plural of "acatalectic," a term for a verse line that has its full number of syllables, with no missing syllable at the end. The word comes from Late Latin "acatalēcticus," which in turn was borrowed from Ancient Greek "akatálēktos," built from the privative prefix "a-" meaning "not" and "katalēgein," meaning "to leave off" or "to stop short." The idea behind it is a line that is not cut short. The sense only makes sense against the opposite term. In classical metrics, a line that lacked a final syllable was called "catalectic," so "acatalectic" names the line that is complete. A verse's "catalexis" is the missing final syllable, and a line with one missing is said to be catalectic, while a full line is acatalectic.