caesura

• Nom désignant une pause ou une coupe dans une phrase, un discours ou un vers poétique, souvent utilisée pour l'expressivité ou pour marquer une rupture naturelle dans le rythme.

A noun referring to a pause or interruption in speech, conversation, or a line of verse, often used for effect or to mark a natural break in rhythm.

1. Pause in conversationC1formal

   A temporary stop or interruption in a conversation or speech.

   Pause dans la conversation

   • There was an awkward caesura in the discussion after his comment.
   • The speaker used a deliberate caesura to emphasize the next point.
   • A long caesura fell over the room as everyone considered the proposal.

   Synonymesbreakgaphesitationhiatusinterruptionlullpausestop

2. Metrical pause in poetryC2formal

   A break or pause in the middle of a line of verse, often used for rhythm or sense.

   Césure (pause métrique)

   • The poet placed a caesura after the third foot to create a dramatic effect.
   • In Old English poetry, the caesura is a fundamental structural element.
   • The line 'To be, or not to be' contains a natural caesura after the comma.

   Synonymesbreakpauserest